Nick Saban publicly discussed a Germany recruit Alabama football is recruiting while talking from the podium at SEC Media Days Wednesday, and it possibly could be considered a recruiting violation.
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The Crimson Tide currently have a verbal commitment from Germany 2024 linebacker prospect, Justin Okoronkwo, who is the prospect Saban was asked about along with freshman offensive lineman, Olaus Alinen, out of Finland as part of a question about Alabama’s international recruiting efforts. Saban discussed a player from Germany Alabama hosted for camp in his answer.
“We feel like these guys that we have recruited, Olaus is on our team now and developing nicely, and we had the young man from Germany in our camp this summer, and was very impressed with him,” Saban said. “So good additions to our team. Glad to have the opportunity.”
The mentioning of the recruit from Germany brings attention to a NCAA bylaw. The NCAA pretty much prohibits coaches from talking publicly about a recruit, who has not signed a National Letter of Intent. According to bylaw 13.10.2.1., “A member institution may comment publicly only to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospective student-athlete.”
“The institution may not comment generally about the prospective student-athlete’s ability or the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution’s team; further, the institution is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete committing to or signing with that institution,” the bylaw further states.
Similar violations under the rule have been considered minor violations in the past.
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