Nick Saban Reveals Missing Out On An LSU Football Star Was His ‘Biggest Mistake’

In the world of college football, where every decision can define a coach’s legacy, few have been more influential than Nick Saban, the head coach of Alabama. A leader with a long list of national championships and a reputation for his meticulous attention to detail, Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever grace the sidelines of college football. However, even Saban, with his decades of experience and success, has made his share of mistakes over the years.

In a surprising admission, the legendary coach revealed one of the biggest regrets of his career: missing out on an LSU football star, a player who would go on to make waves in college football and solidify himself as one of the most impactful talents in the sport. This star player, who would later dominate the college football landscape, slipped through Saban’s grasp and became one of the cornerstones of LSU’s program. In his candid conversation, Saban opened up about how the miss on this recruit haunted him for years and served as a pivotal moment in shaping his coaching philosophy moving forward.

This revelation has sent shockwaves throughout the college football world, especially in the context of Saban’s legendary career and the fierce rivalry between Alabama and LSU. The story of how this LSU star became a household name is one of both opportunity lost and lessons learned—a story that sheds light on the high-stakes world of recruiting and the unrelenting pressure on coaches to make the right decisions.

In this article, we’ll explore the specifics of Saban’s admission, the background of the LSU star in question, how the recruit’s decision to go to LSU impacted both programs, and how Saban’s biggest mistake ultimately led to a shift in his recruiting approach.

The LSU Football Star: Who Is He?

The player in question is none other than one of the most iconic figures in LSU football history: Joe Burrow. Burrow, a quarterback from Athens, Ohio, began his collegiate career at Ohio State but transferred to LSU in 2018, where he would go on to lead the Tigers to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2019. Burrow’s meteoric rise from a relatively unknown backup quarterback to one of the most electrifying and successful players in college football history is nothing short of legendary.

His story is particularly remarkable because of the circumstances surrounding his recruitment. Burrow’s journey to LSU wasn’t a straight line, and the path to his eventual stardom had a few twists and turns. After initially committing to Ohio State and sitting behind J.T. Barrett, Burrow found himself in a position where he wasn’t seeing the playing time he desired. As a result, he made the decision to transfer to LSU, where he would eventually become the face of the program.

At the time, however, Burrow was seen as a relatively unproven commodity. His success at Ohio State was limited, and there was no clear indication that he would go on to revolutionize the quarterback position in college football. But once he arrived at LSU, it didn’t take long for Burrow to make his presence felt. Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and head coach Ed Orgeron, Burrow began to shine, turning the LSU offense from a historically run-heavy system into one of the most prolific passing offenses in the country.

In his final season at LSU, Burrow set multiple records, including the NCAA record for most passing touchdowns in a single season with 60. He also won the prestigious Heisman Trophy and led LSU to the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history.

Saban’s Regret: The Miss on Burrow

Saban’s revelation about missing out on Burrow may seem surprising, given his reputation as one of the most successful recruiters in college football. However, the story behind Burrow’s recruitment sheds light on how even the most experienced coaches can sometimes miss the mark.

In a recent interview, Saban admitted that one of his biggest regrets was not offering Burrow a scholarship when he was a recruit coming out of high school. Saban acknowledged that Burrow was on Alabama’s radar, but the Crimson Tide chose to pursue other options at the quarterback position, ultimately committing to quarterbacks who would not have the same impact as Burrow.

Looking back, Saban noted that his failure to land Burrow was a pivotal moment in his career, especially considering the way Burrow’s talent and leadership transformed LSU into a juggernaut.

“Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game,” Saban said in his interview. “We were aware of his talent, and we knew he was a good player, but at the time, we felt we had other quarterbacks in the pipeline. Missing out on Joe was probably my biggest mistake, and I’ll never forget it. What he did at LSU is something that will be talked about for years to come.”

Saban’s regret is a testament to the incredibly high stakes of recruiting in college football. Even the smallest misstep in evaluating a player can have a lasting impact, not just on the individual player but on the fortunes of an entire program.

The Impact of Burrow’s Decision on LSU and Alabama

Joe Burrow’s decision to transfer to LSU rather than staying at Ohio State or committing to Alabama turned out to be a game-changer for both programs. For LSU, Burrow’s arrival signaled the beginning of a new era in Baton Rouge. Under head coach Ed Orgeron, Burrow became the leader of a high-powered offense that redefined what LSU football could be.

Burrow’s ability to lead the Tigers to a national championship, combined with his record-setting numbers, made LSU a powerhouse in college football. The impact was so significant that it immediately raised LSU’s profile as a top-tier program, capable of competing with any team in the country. Burrow’s leadership on and off the field solidified LSU’s place in college football history, and his success served as a springboard for future LSU recruits, especially at the quarterback position.

On the other hand, Alabama, with its deep tradition of winning and its consistent dominance in recruiting, couldn’t have predicted how Burrow would reshape college football. Saban’s program, which had been the gold standard of college football for much of the 2010s, found itself caught off guard by Burrow’s meteoric rise. Although Alabama would go on to win more national championships under Saban, the failure to land Burrow left a void at the quarterback position for years.

Saban’s inability to land a quarterback of Burrow’s caliber—despite having a recruiting juggernaut at his disposal—demonstrated the unpredictable nature of recruiting. It also highlighted how important the quarterback position is to a team’s success. In the years following Burrow’s national championship run, Alabama would continue to recruit top-tier quarterbacks, but the sting of missing out on Burrow would linger for Saban.

Lessons Learned: A Changed Approach to Recruiting

After missing out on Joe Burrow, Nick Saban’s approach to recruiting underwent a subtle but significant shift. The legendary coach, who has been known for his meticulous evaluation of talent, began to emphasize the importance of recruiting quarterbacks with the ability to not only execute the system but also to elevate it. Saban’s focus shifted toward finding quarterbacks who possessed not just physical tools, but also the mental fortitude and leadership qualities that Burrow demonstrated so effortlessly.

In the years since, Saban has adapted his recruiting strategy to place more emphasis on character, work ethic, and mental toughness. Saban has become more involved in the recruiting process, particularly when it comes to quarterbacks. This approach has paid off, as Alabama has successfully recruited quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young, both of whom would go on to have exceptional careers and lead Alabama to a series of successful seasons.

Saban’s experience with Burrow has served as a reminder that recruiting isn’t always a perfect science, and even the most experienced coaches can make mistakes. However, Saban has also learned to adapt and evolve his strategies in response to such setbacks.

Nick Saban’s admission that missing out on Joe Burrow was his “biggest mistake” is a testament to the unpredictable and high-stakes nature of college football recruiting. Despite his unparalleled success, Saban is not immune to the same challenges that all coaches face when it comes to evaluating talent. Burrow’s rise to prominence at LSU—and the impact he had on the LSU football program—serves as a reminder of how one decision can change the course of a program’s history.

Burrow’s story is one of perseverance, resilience, and unexpected success. He went from being a relatively unproven backup at Ohio State to becoming a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at LSU. His success reshaped LSU football and altered the trajectory of the college football landscape.

For Nick Saban, the miss on Burrow will forever be a regret, but it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of recruiting and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. As Saban continues to lead Alabama, his ability to evolve and adapt will likely ensure that he remains a dominant force in college football for years to come, despite the occasional setback.

In the end, while Saban’s “biggest mistake” may have been missing out on Burrow, it also taught him valuable lessons that have contributed to the continued success of the Alabama football program.