During ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage on Thursday night, Nick Saban shared some insight into how college football coaches have been approaching the transfer portal in recent seasons. In a surprising admission, Saban revealed that he had targeted Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during his college career but he stayed with Toledo throughout. Despite interest from other schools, Mitchell never entered the transfer portal.
Saban went on to reveal that Mitchell was actually Alabama’s top target in the portal last year, even though he never actually entered the portal. This revelation by Saban sheds light on how coaching staffs across the country are actively scouting potential transfer targets well before they make any announcements.
As part of his new role as an analyst for ESPN following his retirement from coaching, Saban’s comments on Mitchell offer an interesting perspective on the behind-the-scenes strategies employed by college football programs. This disclosure may not come as a shock to dedicated football fans, but it is still noteworthy to hear a respected figure like Saban discuss it openly on a prominent platform like ESPN.