The Process: Saban's Recipe for Recruits

[ScionOfSouthland]

Lots of good gems in here, but I will just paraphrase the entire article. The secondary and both lines had some interesting points that I think could apply to GT. The running backs seemed interesting as well. The only difference is that our A-Backs are still small, and we don't have an elite B-Back rotation yet.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1649924-nick-sabans-secret-recruiting-recipe

Saban’s first full recruiting cycle in 2008 resulted in a class that included Mark Ingram, Julio Jones, Mark Barron, Barrett Jones, Marcell Dareus and a host of others who would form the core of the Tide’s national championship teams in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
He’s since reinforced his roster with five more Top 5 classes—including three consecutive '‘Recruiting National Championships,’' according to 247 Sports.
To put it in perspective, Alabama’s average recruiting class rank during the Mike Shula era (2003-06) was 25th. Under Saban, it’s second.
The Tide’s success begins with Saban and his staff’s ability to identify prospects who will make the most of their talent. It is all part of his famously secretive "process" that begins with the development of a player-type model—which establishes the ideal physical traits for particular positions, all the way down to desirable height/weight ranges.

“He (Saban) would take an athlete with size before a natural 5’8” corner,” said Kevin Jackson, a former Tide All-American safety and defensive coordinator at Dothan (Ala.) High School. “If a kid fits their profile, Saban is confident he can teach that bigger athlete to do the things they want him to do in their defense.’'

‘“With everything else being equal, size would overrule,” Cignettii, currently the head coach of Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said. “The heavyweight knocks out the lightweight in that league every time.”
Saban also searches for the ability to quickly change direction and move in explosive bursts at every position.
“I’ve heard him (Saban) say it a thousand times…ankle, knee and hip flexibility is extremely important because football is a stop-and-start game,” Cignetti said.

Talent always jumps out, but it must be combined with gritty determination to win championships.
Similar to most NFL rookie minicamps, the Alabama program is a hub for development of mental toughness. It’s an aspect that separates Saban and his program from the pack in college football, and a big part of the reason why the Tide have had 14 first-round draft picks since 2009.
Determining a player’s mindset and willingness to learn and improve on a daily basis gives Saban and his staff the best chance to help him reach his full potential on the college level.

One of Saban’s key metrics for measuring mental toughness is how a player reacts after a bad play. Does he sulk enough to let it affect him on the next play or beyond? Or can he regain his focus and move on to the next play?
“Guys like Amari Cooper, myself or T.J. (Yeldon) that are able to come in and play early get on the field because we are able to do that,” Johnson said.

Cornerbacks
In the Tide’s defense, corners are usually rangy athletes who excel in man coverage yet remain physical in run support. Whether locking down one side of the field on the edges or blitzing and covering slot receivers or tight ends, playing corner in Saban’s defense requires a mix of athleticism, size, versatility and high football IQ.

Size is the unquestioned deal-breaker here. Jackson’s experience coaching 2013 Auburn CB signee Kamryn Melton at Dothan High is a testament to that. Melton was a touted prospect, garnering five SEC offers, but Alabama was always lukewarm in its interest, mainly because of Melton’s 5’11”, 174-pound frame.

Alabama’s corners average coming into college at 6’0”, 185 pounds—which is an inch taller and seven pounds heavier than the average of the top prep corners in the class of 2014.

Saban’s philosophy of having bigger corners aligns with the movement toward adding size at that position in the NFL.

“If receivers are now coming at a 6’4” or 6’5”, you know that you need defensive backs that are 6’1” or 6’2” to combat that size,” Stewart said.
Other than size, Saban has specific characteristics he covets in his corners.
“He’s grading size, hips and how they break on the ball,” Jackson said. “How well a corner comes out of his backpedal and how he can hold up covering in man-to-man.”

Saban’s player type model gives him a distinct advantage when it comes to recruiting less-heralded talent at positions like cornerback. Rising senior and former 3-star prospect Deion Belue (6’0" 170 pounds when he entered Alabama) is a prime example of a Saban success story. Instead of taking a shorter, more highly ranked corner in the 2010 recruiting cycle, Saban opted for Belue’s size and molded him into a two-year starter.

Safety
Both safety positions showcase players who are center fielders with deep responsibility in the passing game but are versatile enough to come down into the box and become solid tacklers in open space.
The 6’1”, 196-pound average for safeties recruited under Saban is roughly eight pounds heavier than that of 2014’s top players at that position

Saban has taken versatile athletes such as Courtney Upshaw (6’2”, 220 pounds) and Adrian Hubbard (6’7”, 227 pounds) and helped them transform their bodies into OLB prototypes by adding significant mass without sacrificing athleticism.
Upshaw arrived in Tuscaloosa at 6’2”, 220 pounds. Under Cochran and Saban’s direction, he added 40 pounds of muscle. Upon graduation he measured in at 272 pounds. The scary part is he still runs a 4.65-second 40. In three years, Saban has transformed Hubbard from a lanky defensive end into a huge outside linebacker. He arrived at The Capstone at 6’7”, 227 pounds and now tips the scales with 25 pounds of added muscle while maintaining a 4.64-second 40.

Nose Tackle

The average defensive tackle signee at Alabama in the last six years has measured in at 6’3”, 296 pounds—which is a half an inch taller and six pounds heavier than the average of the top 50 interior defensive linemen in the 2014 class as seen on the graph above.
That said, a lot of the players Saban signs at DT eventually move to one of the end spots, as Alabama’s 3-4 features only one true tackle.

Offensive Tackles

The Tide typically favor taller and more athletic players at offensive tackle. Quickness and athleticism are particularly valued here, as Alabama’s tackles must slow down the SEC’s speedy, elite edge-rushers. However, this athleticism cannot come at the expense of mass—which is evident in the 6’5”, 305-pound average size of offensive tackles signed by Saban. That is 18 pounds heavier than the average of 2014’s top offensive tackles.

“Once you start getting under 6’3” for an offensive lineman, maybe you are pushing it a little bit,” Cignetti said.
“Everybody can find that 6’3” or 6’4” guy,” Stewart said. “Coach wants to find the guys that are 6’6” or 6’7” that can move. You don’t see a lot of big, sloppy guys at Alabama.”

Running Backs

Saban has featured the position by using a rotation of two or three big and physical backs who can get the tough yards up the middle, make plays as a receiver and effectively pass block.
The average size of Saban’s power backs at Alabama is 5’11”, 214 pounds—which trumps the average of the top 50 rushers in the 2014 class by 13 pounds. Alabama has also signed a handful of all-purpose backs, but even the average size of these smaller backs (6’0”, 195 pounds) dwarfs the 2014 class average of all-purpose backs by three inches and 18 pounds.

What makes Alabama’s ground game so potent is that it usually has at least two elite backs on hand to wear down opposing defenses. Players such as Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and now T.J. Yeldon all served as talented understudies to the players in front of them before eventually ascending to the feature role.

Defensive Ends

Alabama’s defensive ends typically are big and stout linemen who are trained to generate a push without the constant demand of getting after the quarterback. But due to the proliferation of spread offenses, Saban and his staff are looking to find the answer to stopping faster ball-handlers such as the impossibly elusive Johnny Manziel.
The Tide’s defensive end signees under Saban come in averaging 16 pounds heavier than this year’s crop of top pass-rushing ends

“They want kids with long arms who can get upfield and be quick laterally as well. A school like Alabama doesn’t want you shorter than 6’3” on the edge. You want a kid that can go toe-to-toe with these SEC offensive tackles but also has the ability to put weight on.”

Every year Alabama gains an advantage on the recruiting trail by developing uncommonly strong relationships with prospects, their parents and their coaches early in the recruiting cycle.
This early effort helps Saban consistently draw the best talent to his summer camps and gives the Alabama coaches an invaluable chance to judge a recruit’s work ethic, intangibles and character in person.
When it comes down to it, Saban’s focus on specific positions, tireless work ethic and dedication to recruiting make the difference more often than not. When a player signs with Alabama, Saban knows how to get said player to a level of intensity that matches that of the veteran players. And that is saying something.

 

[KrazieJacket]

Put simply: money, SUV's, no class and you yet to cherry pick recruits. When you have 4 and 5 stars lining up to come to your school, choose the big on.

 

[BioJacket06]

Great read and very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[jdubjacket]

Put simply: money, SUV's, no class and you yet to cherry pick recruits.

And once they're on the team, you make them compete for their scholarship.

 

[Architorture23]

When you have 4 and 5 stars lining up to come to your school, choose the big one.

bingo

 

[texstinger]

What is this "coaching up" crap?

Whoever heard of such.

 

[ScionOfSouthland]

When you have 4 and 5 stars lining up to come to your school, choose the big on.

Alabama recruiting pre-Saban: 25. Alabama recruiting peri-Saban: 2.

4 and 5 stars may be lining up now, but it didn't start that way when Saban got there. Don't discredit his hard work.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GTYellowJacket12]

Put simply: money, SUV's, no class and you yet to cherry pick recruits. When you have 4 and 5 stars lining up to come to your school, choose the big on.

Exactly, when Saban was with the Dolphins he used to say off the record that in the NFL you "only got 1 first round pick but in college you could get as many as you wanted if you recruited". That is a big part of his success and why he'll never be a successful NFL coach. Also in college he has ultimate power while in the NFL he can't be the all powerful dictator coach, a tendency that allows him to control his players.

Gotta give it to him, he's a tireless worker and seems to have developed a great system in an environment (unlike at GT) that does not restraint him and allows him to fully exploit that system, at the price of academics (low standards) and integrity (oversigning, grayshirting and medical conditions all allowing for roster talent regeneration) of course.

 

[GoldZ]

If the OP's last paragraph is true, then why does he keep running them off?

 

[originalwombat]

Waaah waaaah! Saban's a meanie! I would never do that! I would fire my coach if he did what Saban does! Waaah!!!!

 

[beej67]

The process:

1) Oversign
2) Have try outs in the spring
3) Run anyone off you don't like
4) GOTO 1

 

[GTCrew]

The process:

1) Oversign
2) Have try outs in the spring
3) Run anyone off you don't like
4) GOTO 1

Hahaha.

This should literally be on repeated text between the lines of the paragraph about how Saban "finds" players that are self motivated.

Most take the supposed max, and get stuck with their share of unmotivated teenagers. Saban doesnt get stuck with his, he cuts them.

As to the bigcry, thats indicitive of a sportsmanship dearth that Saban shares with you. Some choose to abandon any pretense of abiding by the rules.

The NCAA sets the rules. They have a responsibility, which they have obviously failed at, to either enforce the rule or change the rule.

This isnt like speeding on the perimeter with the "everybody does it" excuse. Everybody doesnt. Alabama is the equivalent of parking in a handicapped spot using grandmas decal. Its a shameful episode that shows there is no rule that you cannot find some lowlifes willing to skirt. The answer isnt condone it and laugh at Mark Richt or Mack Brown parking out in the boonies. Thats never the right response.

Even the SEC has realized the shame in this at long last. They at least publically have changed their position.

 

[ScionOfSouthland]

To be honest, our defensive heights and weights are actually pretty good for a 4-3, and match up pretty closely to Saban's 3-4. I'm surprised how "heavy" or "over" we are on the defensive LOS.

Our weakest point in the measurables column is our OL, though (surprise). I think we've got to rearrange how to do things on the line. We've only really got 3 guys that fit the Saban mold for OT, but one is underweight so Getting Chris Griffin more bulk would great. Really, the OL is going to be the toughest area we have next year.

I'd move Synjyn Days to B-Back and bump Snoddy out to A-Back, but that's just me.

 

[aeromech]

Hahaha.

This should literally be on repeated text between the lines of the paragraph about how Saban "finds" players that are self motivated.

Most take the supposed max, and get stuck with their share of unmotivated teenagers. Saban doesnt get stuck with his, he cuts them.

As to the bigcry, thats indicitive of a sportsmanship dearth that Saban shares with you. Some choose to abandon any pretense of abiding by the rules.

The NCAA sets the rules. They have a responsibility, which they have obviously failed at, to either enforce the rule or change the rule.

This isnt like speeding on the perimeter with the "everybody does it" excuse. Everybody doesnt. Alabama is the equivalent of parking in a handicapped spot using grandmas decal. Its a shameful episode that shows there is no rule that you cannot find some lowlifes willing to skirt. The answer isnt condone it and laugh at Mark Richt or Mack Brown parking out in the boonies. Thats never the right response.

Even the SEC has realized the shame in this at long last. They at least publically have changed their position.

You are making the common mistake of confusing rules with scruples. Saban isn't breaking rules, when he oversigns and grayshirts it is because the rules allow it. Saban does some things others won't do because either they have a conscience or can't afford it; but that doesn't make Saban a rules violator. Heck, there have been recruits Saban has signed knowing they were going to be gray shirted going in, go figure.

 

[Enuratique]

Hahaha.

This should literally be on repeated text between the lines of the paragraph about how Saban "finds" players that are self motivated.

Most take the supposed max, and get stuck with their share of unmotivated teenagers. Saban doesnt get stuck with his, he cuts them.

As to the bigcry, thats indicitive of a sportsmanship dearth that Saban shares with you. Some choose to abandon any pretense of abiding by the rules.

The NCAA sets the rules. They have a responsibility, which they have obviously failed at, to either enforce the rule or change the rule.

This isnt like speeding on the perimeter with the "everybody does it" excuse. Everybody doesnt. Alabama is the equivalent of parking in a handicapped spot using grandmas decal. Its a shameful episode that shows there is no rule that you cannot find some lowlifes willing to skirt. The answer isnt condone it and laugh at Mark Richt or Mack Brown parking out in the boonies. Thats never the right response.

Even the SEC has realized the shame in this at long last. They at least publically have changed their position.

My father-in-law does that ALL THE TIME! The old bitty can't drive anyways. It is handy, though, when shopping at the outlets post-Christmas - we don't have to circle for parking at the ass-end of the lot.

 

[Flywheel]

It's not exactly news that recruiting is the key to Saban's success. His stint in the NFL stank to high heaven because the other teams were also allowed to pay their players.

 

[Diseqc]

It's not exactly news that recruiting is the key to Saban's success. His stint in the NFL stank to high heaven because the other teams were also allowed to pay their players.

His stint in the NFL also coincided with the Dolphins deciding to pass on signing Drew Brees. Saban wanted him. It's not like Saban went 0-16 in the NFL. People exaggerate Saban's NFL failings. He wasn't THAT bad and could have probably turned it around.

 

[GTCrew]

You are making the common mistake of confusing rules with scruples. Saban isn't breaking rules, when he oversigns and grayshirts it is because the rules allow it. Saban does some things others won't do because either they have a conscience or can't afford it; but that doesn't make Saban a rules violator. Heck, there have been recruits Saban has signed knowing they were going to be gray shirted going in, go figure.

You underestimate the deviousness of my mind, and you are missing the point. Any rule has multiple interpretations, and these signing rules are no exception. 110 college head coaches and teams read the rules and intearpret them the exact same way. 25 schollys per year, and you can bring in a few early if you undersigned the year before and greyshirts are allowed for kids who will count towards next years 25.

Only a few coaches read the exact same rules and find that means unlimited signees, unlimited early enrolees, and unlimited greyshirts. You state that it is legal, and thats a naive black/white worldview. Every rule is grey. When 110 teams read a rule one way, and only a handful read it completely different, that should tell you the handfull may have been reading it wrong. I find the people most likely to misinterpret, or read wrong, a rule, are those who have a lot to gain by the misinterpretation. But thats just my observation.

Look, even the SEC office agrees that Saban is stretching far beyond the rules as written. They have made policy that is more clear. The ACC, the PAC, the BIGs, none of these leagues had to clarify the NCAA rule, right? The NCAA rule didnt get clarified, right? The SEC had to close the 'loophole', a 'loophole' only a rare few saw, to reign in Saban's abuses.

 

[gthog61]

Buried in there was this comment:
"You don't see a lot of big sloppy guys..."

except on last second field goal units apparently

still surprised at the amount of flailing that went on on that play, didn't realize Alabama had that many fat guys on the entire roster

 

[aeromech]

You underestimate the deviousness of my mind, and you are missing the point. Any rule has multiple interpretations, and these signing rules are no exception. 110 college head coaches and teams read the rules and intearpret them the exact same way. 25 schollys per year, and you can bring in a few early if you undersigned the year before and greyshirts are allowed for kids who will count towards next years 25.

Only a few coaches read the exact same rules and find that means unlimited signees, unlimited early enrolees, and unlimited greyshirts. You state that it is legal, and thats a naive black/white worldview. Every rule is grey. When 110 teams read a rule one way, and only a handful read it completely different, that should tell you the handfull may have been reading it wrong. I find the people most likely to misinterpret, or read wrong, a rule, are those who have a lot to gain by the misinterpretation. But thats just my observation.

Look, even the SEC office agrees that Saban is stretching far beyond the rules as written. They have made policy that is more clear. The ACC, the PAC, the BIGs, none of these leagues had to clarify the NCAA rule, right? The NCAA rule didnt get clarified, right? The SEC had to close the 'loophole', a 'loophole' only a rare few saw, to reign in Saban's abuses.

You just keep overplaying the big cry. Saban is not "stretching far beyond the rules as written", nor is Saban interpreting rules wrong. Saban is like the accountant that finds every available tax break and shelter available. The reason many other coaches (and note Saban isn't alone in using grey shirts) is because they or their employers have scruples. You might argue the intent of the rule, Sabanites will argue what the rule actually says. While you are looking for what the rules prohibit, Saban is looking for what it allows. While you're busy honoring verbal commitments to recruits, Saban correctly points out that verbal commitments are non-binding.

Auburn on the other hand, skirts the rules.