Cam Newton Breaks Down What Sets Nick Saban’s Recruitment Tactics Apart originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Cam Newton self-admittedly has been talking about Nick Saban a lot on his podcast, ‘4th&1 with Cam Newton’. On Sunday, the former Carolina Panthers quarterback remembered the former Alabama Crimson Tide coach for his recruitment skills.
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Talking about what kind of recruitment style suits best, Newton said it can’t be a one-size-fits-all policy. Head coaches need to look at the correct balance of a talented athlete who also wants to get better.
One can’t get an athlete just based on the recruitment rankings, and recruiters can’t ignore talented individuals stuck in poor high school programs.
Nick Saban, Alabama Football
Here’s where coaches like Nick Saban need to be respected and studied. According to Newton, legendary coaches “take good players and transform them into great players.”
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Newton takes it a step further, saying that in case great coaches “take great players and transform them into elite players.” The former league MVP pointed to Julio Jones, a stellar recruit out of high school, who was transformed into a first-round pick after being coached by Saban.
The former Heisman Trophy winner also said that most coaches miss an integral part of recruiting. He argued that most coaches “don’t realize that just because you have a talent doesn’t mean you’re bringing the best out of that talent.”
Newton said that programs want five-star athletes, but they don’t understand the baggage that such an athlete brings with them.
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Programs don’t foresee the entitlement, the attitude, and since they’ve done so well previously in their area, it is a tricky job to make them understand that Division 1 football requires a change in their approach.
Coach Saban has showcased multiple times that under his guidance, no detail is too small and no effort is too big. Being on time for meetings, getting the right grades, and fulfilling your responsibilities beyond the field, he emphasized developing athletes holistically.
Related: J.D. PicKell Issues 5-Word Message for Nick Saban
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
