All business, all the time

Jonathan Ledbetter, four-star recruit, got an in-home from Nick Saban. Ledbetter committed early to Alabama, but changed his commitment to Georgia after the Bulldogs signed his older brother to a scholarship last summer.  Blood may be thicker than water, but when Saban’s on the recruiting trail, business trumps blood.

“I think he wanted to make sure that Jonathan understands that this is a business decision. He wanted to make sure that Jonathan has all the information he needs to make the best decision for him. So we appreciated Coach Saban coming by.”

I wonder, though… when Saban says “business”, how many recruits hear “roster management”?

67 Comments

Filed under Nick Saban Rules, Recruiting

67 responses to “All business, all the time

  1. AusDawg85

    “Son, understand something. Coach Richt suffers through one more 11 -1 season without a championship and he’s fired. You’re better off with me.”

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  2. First they came for Derrick Henry

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  3. 3rdandGrantham

    Given Saban’s record, amazing achievements at Bama, and the number of players he’s put in top rounds of the NFL draft, you certainly can’t blame him for using that tactic. Being completely objective, it would be very hard to not give serious consideration to what he’s saying.

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  4. Ricky McDurden

    If by business decision he means “I have a $3 million mortgage on a Jackson Hole lakehouse that I’ve never seen in person and I need your talent to get me the raise that’s going to pay it off,” then yeah I guess this could be called a business decision for the young amateur student-athlete.

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  5. hassan

    Hmmm…what other organization lives by the the phrase “it’s just business”? Hmmmm….I wonder….

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  6. Dawgfan Will

    Based on their recruiting success, obviously not many.

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  7. Mayor

    Senator, I’m still having trouble with the Fabris Pool. When I log in the screen says that no games have been picked and to contact my commissioner.

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  8. Cojones

    I wonder how Fu is going to play their new coach in the recruiting game. I think they will try to flip and/or refllp every single recruit we have because they only have a month and a little over a half to get all the recruits they lost thru last season’s fiasco and are behind in the game.

    Do any of you recruitniks have any ideas or heard of anything along these or other lines; i.e., does FU have a few stashed away that won’t commit until later? Would like to hear what the grapevine is growing.

    Sounds like Ledbetter’s Mom has her own take about her sons playing on the same team. Hang in there, Mom. I say we swing one great seat for her on the first home game her son(s) play in next year.

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  9. ASEF

    I suspect the visit was really just an excuse to rub in the fact that Saban’s team is going to the playoffs and that Saban still found time to drop by. That’s a powerful pitch.

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  10. Hogbody Spradlin

    ” how many recruits hear “roster management”?

    All of ’em, I wish.

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  11. Mudcats Impala...

    Business? Ledbetter is a DLineman…send him this tweet…

    quote:
    Georgia Football
    @FootballUGA 10 Dec 2014

    #UGA currently has the most Defensive Linemen in the #NFL with 12! The next closest team has 7. #DawgsOnTop pic.twitter.com/8SVy4wwz99

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbJ9MDDCQAAwNd0.jpg:large

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    • PTC DAWG

      Don’t let the genius above see this…he’s a professional debunker…. 😄

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      • 3rdandGrantham

        See above. It’s basic common sense that my 11 year old nephew could ascertain. Either you were purposely being grossly misleading or you have an IQ in the low 90’s. Despite the impugning comments, I’m going with the former.

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        • PTC DAWG

          Just throwing out raw numbers, Bama runs a football factory..if that is what you want, Saban is obviously the man for the job.

          Do you not think Bama signing 5 classes to our 4 every 4 years could possibly skew numbers?

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          • 3rdandGrantham

            I never said “that’s what I want.” After all, Saban isn’t recruiting me with his “business decision” shtick. I’m simply sticking to and addressing the subject and hand, which is the recruitment of Ledbetter. Call me a cynic, but I’d venture to say that he is more concerned about his football success than whether UGA is or is not perceived as a football factory.

            Over the past 3-4 years, I don’t believe Saban has signed any/many more players than we have. His first few years were absolutely blatant oversigning, but since the yearly numbers have been more tame.

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            • PTC DAWG

              He has slacked off on the blatant oversigning..and I don’t blame him for recruiting the kid above…

              Like I said, he is great at his job, Saban that is.
              ,
              Sounds like the kid mentioned above is getting some good advice from his Mom. I wish him well.

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  12. Ya’ll are so childish….🎁

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    • Cojones

      Quiet please. Someone on here is busily “easily” debunking. He’s taking his second stool softener right now.

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      • I have to FAST for eight hours for test at 7AM. Cojones, is it okay to smoke and drink water when you are fasting? Cause, I won’t make it to the Hospital otherwise. 🏥🎄

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        • Cojones thinks it’s a reasonable medical probability that it’s okay to smoke and drink anytime before a test but only if it’s multiple guess, not essay.

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          • Dudes this is serious. This is that multi level panel test to determine what’s wrong with me, physically…So, Is it okay to drink water and smoke weed?

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            • What Would Roger Goodell Do?

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            • Joy, if your insurance is paying for that test, I would highly (no pun intended) recommend that you not smoke weed. You’d better tell the provider, too, because unless you’ve gotten the okay from them (some physicians don’t care), there’s a pretty good chance he/she will be pissed that you introduced an illicit substance into your body before an important test like that.

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  13. anon

    Not sure why someone has hijacked my handle above. But the one above needs to get a new one.

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  14. ZutaDawg

    Senator, my time is limited, Could you please just warn us when your going to link to an AJC article so I can wait till I’m sitting on the John before I read it, That way I’ll know whether to concentrate on the article or if I can concentrate on more pressing things. Regardless if you let us know ahead of time I can tell my co workers I had to take a SABAN, and the stability of Ledbetter’s commitment will take a back seat to the condition of my bowels. Its just a business decision senator, please don’t let us link without providing the TP.

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  15. that business decision… I wonder if Nicky informed him that UGA currently has 12 DL in the NFL and the closest SEC team has 7. probably not a wise business decision to go anywhere other than UGA

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  16. at present and by any standard of measure, saban is superior to richt and at the helm of the superior program. there is no refuting that! but, i am sure the disneys will try.

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  17. WF dawg

    On a different note, Ledbetter’s mom seems to know a thing or two about diplomatic responses.

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  18. Cousin Eddie

    If it is a business decision shouldn’t he go to Auburn, they pay the players more, or di Bama players get a raise? JK
    When I hear “business decision” I think of a RB that went to ut and have a good chuckle.

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