Jumbo Package: Saban looks to restore the “Bama factor” with high character recruits

Happy Thursday, everyone. the first day of the early signing period is in the books. IN addition to CB969’s work on this here website, you can find additional wrap-ups at BamaOnline.com and TideSports.com.

As Aaron Suttles notes, Saban was looking for more than just measurables this time around.

“Probably the most important thing is, I think, this is really a character, quality group of young men,” Saban said. “We don’t have guys that have any issues or whatever, and they’ve worked really hard and been great teammates for the teams that they’ve played for.”

That sounds like other classes Alabama had in the past that had guys like Dont’a Hightower and Jonathan Allen. In a sport in which the talent level is becoming more and more equitable among the elite teams, character can give a team an edge. That’s the edge Alabama is seeking.

In hindsight, the team perhaps took a few more chances in recent classes with guys who had some red flags, and a couple of them ended up being non-contributors. Discipline and execution have always been hallmarks of Saban’s program, the “Bama factor” as Saban called it, but weren’t up to snuff this season.

One commit seems to have the right mentality.

So, where does he expect to play at Alabama – corner, safety or perhaps the hybrid star position that’s essentially the Crimson Tide’s slot corner?

“Right now, they told me I’ll probably be at the safety position,” he said, “but really, I’ll play whatever position they need me to play – receiver, anything.”

This is exactly what you want from a player - team ahead of himself.

This, however, is not what you want to see from the University.

Burnette in 2019 paid $940 a ticket including a $480 donation for each of his four seats minus the amenities.

That same seat next year is $13,995 in the Champions Club if the initial donation is paid up front or $5,995 if spread into five equal portions. It comes with a 10-year commitment meaning each seat will cost $49,950 and only if the $495 season ticket prices never rise.

So, $5k a seat for a seven game pack that includes Georgia State, Kent State, and UT-Martin? I understand that college football is big business nowadays but I’m sorry, that is just disgusting.

Last, Josh Jacobs may bring home some hardware this season.

1. Josh Jacobs, Raiders

Jacobs has had 1,150 rushing yards through Week 15. The next-closest rookie is Bills running back Devin Singletary at 729. That’s a pretty big gap!

The former Alabama star has vaulted past DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to the top of Oakland’s rotation, taking up nearly two-thirds of the team’s carries in the process. He’s averaged 7.5 yards per carry on runs outside the tackle box and has broken more tackles than all but two other running backs (Chris Carson and Derrick Henry).

Wait, does that say that two former Alabama running backs are in the top three of the entire NFL in broken tackles? Why, i think it does.

That’s about it for today. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.