May 13, 2015
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
For the second time since the conclusion of spring practice, Saban was asked about his philosophy of taking in a graduate transfer, who would be eligible to play immediately under current NCAA and SEC rules.
With speculation that Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller and Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson are both looking to transfer, Alabama has been a rumored landing spot for both. ESPN.com reported Monday that Alabama was one of the schools Golson is considering.
Saban said there are a couple of things he considers most important while contemplating taking a graduate transfer.
"I guess the first consideration is what kind of person, how would he fit with your team," he said. "Character, attitude, competitive spirit that would blend in and fit with the team that you have...anytime we're dealing with a transfer, whether it's a junior college transfer or somebody who wants to transfer here later in their career, opportunity to play becomes a big thing because they need to play. They need to make sure they would have the opportunity to play, relative to their skill set and the players that you have.
"I think in some cases, it's obviously a benefit to the student athlete and gives them an opportunity to go someplace else and play maybe where they wouldn't have the same opportunity and gives them an opportunity educationally involved in a degree program that might be more beneficial to them, especially a graduate program and it may help them from a career development standpoint to play whether it's in a different style of offense or defense or have an opportunity to get more exposure because of playing time, so there are some benefits to it.
"I know people get a little bit concerned with the freedom we give players sometimes, but it is beneficial to players in some cases."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1765840#sthash.bAfi0Eic.dpuf
Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
For the second time since the conclusion of spring practice, Saban was asked about his philosophy of taking in a graduate transfer, who would be eligible to play immediately under current NCAA and SEC rules.
With speculation that Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller and Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson are both looking to transfer, Alabama has been a rumored landing spot for both. ESPN.com reported Monday that Alabama was one of the schools Golson is considering.
Saban said there are a couple of things he considers most important while contemplating taking a graduate transfer.
"I guess the first consideration is what kind of person, how would he fit with your team," he said. "Character, attitude, competitive spirit that would blend in and fit with the team that you have...anytime we're dealing with a transfer, whether it's a junior college transfer or somebody who wants to transfer here later in their career, opportunity to play becomes a big thing because they need to play. They need to make sure they would have the opportunity to play, relative to their skill set and the players that you have.
"I think in some cases, it's obviously a benefit to the student athlete and gives them an opportunity to go someplace else and play maybe where they wouldn't have the same opportunity and gives them an opportunity educationally involved in a degree program that might be more beneficial to them, especially a graduate program and it may help them from a career development standpoint to play whether it's in a different style of offense or defense or have an opportunity to get more exposure because of playing time, so there are some benefits to it.
"I know people get a little bit concerned with the freedom we give players sometimes, but it is beneficial to players in some cases."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1765840#sthash.bAfi0Eic.dpuf
