Jumbo Package: Nick Saban steals the show at the 2024 NFL Draft

Happy Friday, everyone. Baseball opened their weekend series with Ole Miss in fine fashion, beating the Rebels 12-0. Softball opens up vs Tennessee tonight at 6pm.

Alabama had another strong first round at last night’s NFL Draft, though it was a bit disappointing that Kool Aid didn’t hear his name called. Three Tide players were drafted, however, starting with JC Latham, and Nick Saban cemented himself as the most entertaining football analyst on TV in his official ESPN debut.

This is what Nick had to say about JC Latham and Dallas Turner, who went to the Titans and Vikings, respectively.

“JC played great ball for us, man,” Saban said. “He was a leader on our team. But you talk about being physical and dominate the line of scrimmage, I mean, this guy is as powerful as anybody as we’ve ever had. When he gets his hands on you, you’ve had it.

“And a fine young man. Really, everybody on the team loves the guy. I’m so happy for him and his family and … when it’s your guys and you know it’s their dream, it just makes you feel so great.”

“This guy’s quiet, but he’s a great leader,” Saban said of Turner during ABC’s draft coverage. “He sets a great example. He works hard every day in practice. He has position-flexibility.

“People keep comparing him to Will Anderson; he’s more like Dont’a Hightower. He went inside, he got outside, we stood him up, he’s a good rusher. He can take gaps inside. So I think the versatility is phenomenal.”

Draft analyist Pete Prisco rates Turner as perhaps the steal of the draft.

NFL Draft grade: A

“Love this move to go get Turner. He will be the best edge player in this class. The Vikings have had a lot of success with edge players and he fits with what Brian Flores wants to do.” — Pete Prisco

The Lions added more Crimson to the roster in Terrion Arnold.

It’s the third year in a row that Holmes has traded up to pick an Alabama player. In 2022, the Lions drafted Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams at No. 12. In 2023, Detroit drafted Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12.

“I would have never thought it would have worked out with the continuous Bama to Bama to Bama,” Holmes said, “but I’m not surprised either because we know how we want to build our football team, and those guys have been a stalwart powerhouse in the top college football conference for a very long time. …

“Again, it gives you a little bit higher level of comfort.”

Jalen Milroe accompanied Arnold to the Draft, and gave a thoughtful response when asked about his best friend.

Jalen is always full of personality. As they say, it ain’t always what you say, but how you say it. He drew a chuckle from everyone with this one.

Nick just let it out that everyone is tampering.

As the newest member of the “College GameDay” crew, Saban raised eyebrows with a comment about Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during the Thursday first-round coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles selected Mitchell with the No. 22 overall pick, Saban admitted the Crimson Tide were targeting the All-American cornerback, even though Mitchell never entered the transfer portal. Mitchell recorded five interceptions during the 2022 campaign.

“He was our No. 1 guy in the portal last year to try to get him to come out of the portal, and he would never get in the portal,” Saban said on the broadcast.

What a time to be alive.

Last, this is great stuff from Kool Aid McKinstry on what drove Saban out, and why he’s the best to ever do it.

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

Roll Tide.