Not only did Nick Saban have an eye for talent when it came to recruiting, but also when it came to reaching into the transfer portal.
Alabama’s success from the portal has been well-documented with headliners such as Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs from recent years.
But the Crimson Tide were eyeing to add another future first-round pick to its secondary a year ago in Toldeo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
When speaking on the ABC broadcast for the 2024 NFL Draft, Saban revealed that Mitchell was Alabama’s top target to add to its team but Mitchell ultimately never entered the portal.
“He was our No. 1 guy in the portal last year to try to get him to come out of the portal,” Saban said, “and he would never get in the portal.”
Nick Saban on ABC about Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell: "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."
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) April 26, 2024
Mitchell was selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the draft by the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.
Alabama was still able to add Trey Amos from the transfer portal to bolster a secondary that also included fellow first-round cornerback (Lions) Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry who is expected to be one of the top players in the second round of the draft.
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