By Mark Pszonak
Nick Saban had no shortage of top wide receivers during his years as head coach of Alabama, but earlier today on College GameDay he vented about the Tide not recruiting a local playmaker who has become a star.
Tez Johnson played his high school football at Pinson Valley, which is about 70 miles from Tuscaloosa. He signed with Troy back in December, 2019 with little fanfare. Saban shared these thoughts about the Tide missing on Johnson:
Nick Saban: "What I'm sitting here thinking about is Tez Johnson's in Birmingham, 45 minutes away from Alabama. We didn't recruit the guy. Who was recruiting Birmingham? And I should have fired their ass." pic.twitter.com/AocKjb90qn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 1, 2025
In reality, Alabama was never going to recruit Johnson back in 2019. While he was a local talent, he was also a two-star recruit whose only offer came from the Trojans. And during the Class of 2020, the Tide signed three four-star wide receivers, Javon Baker, Traeshon Holden and Thaiu Jones-Bell. None of the three turned out to be stars at Alabama, with all three actually transferring out, but it is safe to say that Johnson was never on the Tide’s radar.
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However, the same shouldn’t be said about Alabama’s second opportunity to recruit Johnson. After three seasons at Troy, when he totaled 141 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns, he entered the transfer portal. And as Saban mentioned this morning, the Tide still didn’t recruit Johnson.
Alabama had to be well aware of Johnson’s talents in 2022 but chose not to pursue the dynamic playmaker. He found his way to Oregon, where he has totaled 164 receptions for 2,048 yards and 20 touchdowns in his two seasons. This was a swing-and-miss by the Tide, which Saban clearly realizes.
Even elite programs have recruiting regrets.
