This year’s Alabama football team has a special place in the hearts of fans.
Alabama finished Nick Saban’s coaching career in Tuscaloosa with a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff berth in 2023. After all the success he had in 17 seasons, Saban decided to hang up coaching at the University of Alabama in January — announcing his retirement. Many student-athletes took the opportunity to pursue other schools in a 30-day transfer portal, but some decided to remain with the Crimson Tide. Those that remained earned much respect from fans.
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Players such as Jalen Milroe, Malachi Moore, Tyler Booker, and DeVonta Smith were leaders that stayed.
Jahlil Hurley and Damon Payne Jr., two defensive players, spoke to reporters on Wednesday about why they chose to stay at Alabama during a tough transition. Both highlighted their commitment to the Crimson Tide as the primary reason.
Hurley, a redshirt freshman cornerback, could not picture himself at another place.
Alabama CB Jahlil Hurley on why he did not leave the Crimson Tide after Nick Saban retired:
“I’m a Bama kid, of course. Then there were guys like DeVonta Smith, Malachi Moore, and Milroe that could have left, but they didn’t. So, why would I leave.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/bDvprnOHCs
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) April 4, 2024
“I’m a ‘Bama kid, of course,” Hurley said. “Then we had teammates that did not leave like Malachi, Smitty, Milroe, they could have left. They had every right too, but they did not. So, why would I leave?”
Hurley, a native of Florence, Ala., came in Saban’s next to last recruiting class in 2023 as a five-star.
Payne, a redshirt junior defensive lineman, did not have another place on his mind after Saban retired.
Alabama DL Damon Payne on why he did not choose to transfer when Nick Saban retired:
“When I signed them papers, I knew I wanted to be crimson forever. I want it to stay that way.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/TMCGXAEAF3
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) April 4, 2024
“When I signed those papers, I knew I was going to be crimson forever,” Payne said.
“I just have to keep it that way, no matter what.”
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Payne, a former five-star from Michigan, came in the 2021 signing class. He has grown into a leadership role up front and is teaching young players the standard on defense. Payne is looking forward to having a dominant year in the fall.
This team feels like the 2009 group in Saban’s third year.
Some of the players on Saban’s first national championship team in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era came from Mike Shula. Names such as Greg McElroy, Chris Rogers, Eryk Anders, Javier Arenas, and others could have left, but they chose to remain and play for Saban. This team had guys that could have left in Saban’s retirement, but they are behind Kalen DeBoer.
Hurley and Payne want to lead the Tide to a national title.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
