Saban on the Transfer Portal: How College Football Coaches Scout and Recruit Potential Transfers

During ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage on Thursday night, former Alabama coach Nick Saban shared some insight into how college football coaches have been approaching the transfer portal in recent seasons. Saban revealed that they 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.

In a surprising admission, Saban mentioned that Mitchell was 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.

College football has become increasingly competitive in recent years and coaches are always looking for ways to gain an edge over their opponents. One way they do this is by scouting potential transfers early on. By identifying talented players who may be considering leaving their current school, coaches can start building relationships with them and convince them to join their program.

Saban’s comments about Mitchell underscore the importance of this strategy. Even though Mitchell eventually decided to stay at Toledo, Saban still saw him as a valuable asset and made sure to keep an eye on him throughout his college career.

This kind of proactive scouting is becoming more common in college football and it has had a significant impact on the transfer market. With so many players entering the portal each year, coaches are constantly looking for ways to identify and recruit top talent before it hits the open market.

Overall, Saban’s comments provide valuable insight into how college football coaches approach the transfer portal and why it has become such an important part of recruiting strategy in recent years.