Nick Saban generally does extremely well in recruiting, but for as many top recruits as he brings in, he also turns off quite a few. One such player is Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins.
Jenkins talked about his experience as a five-star recruit from Georgia who chose the Bulldogs over the Crimson Tide coming out of high school. Jenkins’ decision is an intriguing storyline ahead of Saturday’s game between the teams.
According to Jenkins, he chose Georgia over Bama in part because he felt more comfortable with Mark Richt than Nick Saban.
“(Saban) definitely has an intimidating demeanor about him,” Jenkins said this week via AL.com. “I have to say he’s a great coach. The thing about him was I never could … I felt like I had a stronger relationship with coach Richt than I did with coach Saban and that’s just the two different kind of people they are.”
How awkward was Jenkins’ relationship with Saban? He says he was very close with then-defensive coordinator Kirby Smart but was so unfamiliar with Saban, he once inadvertently walked past him because he didn’t recognize the coach. But don’t think Jenkins was strictly anti-Saban; he also says Georgia was a better academic fit for him.
Jenkins’ opinion of Saban is nothing new and shouldn’t be taken personally by the coach. After all, Saban was once voted the most intimidating college coach by high school recruits.
