Former Alabama Crimson Tide players thank retired coach Nick Saban for helping them reach NFL combine.

 

Nick Saban’s exit from collegiate football was predicted by some Alabama players even before he announced his retirement in January.

Not everyone was as taken aback as the broader public was.

However, all of the Crimson Tide players present at this week’s NFL annual scouting combine had one thing in common: they might not be here, getting ready for a professional future, if it weren’t for Saban’s guidance.

Dallas Turner, a linebacker, responded, “It kind of hurt a lot of people’s hearts,” when questioned about his feelings over the choice. Many people believe that a college football coach can work in the position forever, however this is untrue. I believe that the players he has coached have had a lot of chances opened up to them, as well as many hearts and minds affected.”

Turner has close ties to the area.

He attributes his success to Saban for giving him the self-control to go from being a highly anticipated prep prospect to a college standout and, ultimately, to a 6-foot-3, 247-pound edge rusher who is expected to be selected in the first round of the April selection.

Turner wasn’t the only one who felt his college coach had changed throughout the previous three seasons.

After overcoming a potentially career-ending neck injury to secure one of the coveted combine invites, defensive tackle Justin Eboigbe noticed a change after seeing a photo of a soaked Saban making his way slowly to the locker room following a game last autumn.

“When I saw that picture of him when we had that rain delay against USF, I kind of knew something was up,” said Eboigbe. But it is what it is. You can never cheat the game if you can’t give it your all. I believe it was time for him to move on after realizing he couldn’t give it his all.”

The players were undoubtedly aware of the choice.

Saban had nothing left to prove at 72 years old, having won 297 games in his career and solidifying his legacy with seven national titles (six at Alabama and one at LSU).