Blake BaumgartnerESPN staff writer4 minutes to read
Nick Saban of Alabama focused on process, not expectations
Nick Saban talks to Mike Greenberg about his outlook for the season and the state of college football.
Nick Saban W Alabama added four-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench Jr., as well. to the recruiting class of 2025 on Saturday.
Ffrench, No. 15 overall in the 2025 ESPN 300, is the second highly coveted receiver to make a Crimson Tide pledge in the class of 2025, after Saraland (Ala.) High School five-star wide wide Ryan Williams (No. 3 overall), who committed in October.
“I know it’s early and stuff like that, but I feel like I know what’s right. I know what I’m getting myself into,” French told ESPN last month. “I am ready and will be ready for the next level.
“I think I’ll be a good fit, the way I run my roads, the way I am [able] To create a detachment of defenders, open up and become a great playmaker. I think that’s what Coach Saban likes. So he did a great job recruiting me. So I think it’s a perfect fit.”
French selected Alabama over Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida State, and Penn State. He is the fifth member of the Alabama class of 2025, joining Williams, running back Anthony Rogers (No. 40 overall), offensive tackle Mason Short (No. 73) and guard Dontrell Glover (No. 162).
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Ffrench caught 44 passes for 671 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore for Mandarin High School (Jacksonville, FL). He cited the arrival of offensive coordinator Tommy Reese to Tuscaloosa from Notre Dame as a big selling point.
“They have an amazing coaching staff,” French said. “They’re going to prepare me for the next level, day in and day out. I get to take on the best players every day in practice, stuff like that. They have a great facility. They have a great support system. Everything is there just for you to do nothing but succeed.”
Reese took the helm of Alabama’s offense this year after Bill O’Brien left to return to coach with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Reese inherited an offense that ranked 11th nationally in total offense (477.1 YPG) and 19th (281.5 YPG) last year.
Four of the top five wide receivers in receptions come back in 2022 — Jermaine Burton, Jakory Brooks, Kobe Prentice and Isaya Bond — and Jalyn Hill (No. 47 overall on the 2023 ESPN 300) can see time as a true freshman. Two ESPN 300 callers — Eli Holstein (No. 29 overall in 2023) and Dylan Lonergan (No. 36) — were part of last year’s top-ranked Crimson Tide class, and will battle with redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe this fall for the right to replace Bryce Young.
And five-star player Julien Saigne (#3 overall in 2024) is one of two top 10 pledges to top the 2024 group that ESPN currently ranks 12th.
Having Sayn in the class ahead of him was another point in Alabama’s favor on French’s mind.
Williams and French, who plan to sign up early in January 2025, will hit the ground running.
“Man, we got a great bond,” said French. “We’re learning about each other more and more because one day we’ll finally have to see each other every single day. Get better, get each other ready for the next level.”
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