The college football world was treated to some drama when Alabama's Nick Saban accused Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher of “buying players” with NIL (name, image and likeness) deals during the recruiting process. Fisher's response was a fiery and personal rebuke of Saban, one that seemed to burn any bridges that may have still been standing between the two former peers at LSU. In the aftermath of the ugly back-and-forth, Fisher conducted an interview with KSAT-TV and backed up the defense of his recruiting with some evidence, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
“I just researched this,” Fisher said. “Of the 11 guys we have that came early, one guy has an NIL deal.”
“Really?” KSAT's Greg Simmons replied.
“Yes,” Fisher said.
“Just one?” Simmons said.
“Just one,” Fisher said. “So all these stories you're hearing are complete lies.”
Fisher told KSAT's Greg Simmons that he researched Texas A&M's recruiting haul. Of the 11 players the program brought in, Fisher claims that one has an NIL deal, which is a far cry from Saban's “whole team” accusation.
According to Fisher, the Aggies reeled in the nation's number-one recruiting class, via 247 Sports, edging out Alabama largely without any NIL influence.
If Fisher is being truthful, then Saban's anger was merely at the fact that a program could recruit as well as- or better- than he can at Alabama.
Either that, or the Aggies head coach is stretching the truth- and his impressive haul of NIL-bought recruits is the first of its kind- and a major problem for college football.
While the battle of words will be settled on the field between Fisher and Saban this year, the college football NIL war will need to be settled off it.
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