Nick Saban was caught on a hot mic seriously questioning one team’s first round pick during the NFL Draft on Thursday.
Saban made the remark as ABC was coming back from a commercial just before the Dallas Cowboys selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick. Based on his commentary, Saban did not seem too enthralled with the pick.
“Wow, this is a reach,” Saban is heard saying.
"This is a reach" 😬 pic.twitter.com/60zloMY8nq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 24, 2026
Saban was a little bit kinder when actually analyzing the pick, calling Lawrence “one of my sleepers for tomorrow.” Of course, that only underlines Saban’s point that he felt No. 23 was simply too early for Lawrence.
Initially, Lawrence was viewed as a second day pick, but he moved up draft boards throughout the process. By Thursday, most mock drafts had him going late in the first round, so while Saban may have felt the pick is a reach, many experts saw this coming.
Lawrence had seven sacks at UCF last season and will feature as an edge rusher in Dallas’ new-look defense. He should have ample opportunity to make Saban eat his words. It would not be the first time something he said did not age well.
