Hugh Freeze explains what it takes to beat Nick Saban in recruiting
Hugh Freeze, Big Time Football Coach, announced his presence on Oct. 4, 2014, when No. 11 Ole Miss knocked off No. 3 Alabama, 23-17 in Oxford.
Hugh Freeze, Big Time Recruiter, has been a known commodity for a bit longer. He arrived on Feb. 6, 2013, when Ole Miss signed five star prospects Robert Nkemdiche of Loganville, Ga., Laquon Treadwell of Naperville, Ill., and Laremy Tunsil of Lake City, Fla. He's been paying for that class ever since, comparing the NCAA investigation spawned by that class to a "four-year colonoscopy."
In speaking to CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd, Freeze explained what it takes to beat Nick Saban in recruiting:
“I feel like I have to personally recruit 12-15 guys in order to beat a Nick Saban who may call the parent one time. They may still beat us. We're winning our share now, but it's taking an enormous amount of work to do. Will that ever change? It has ... some.”
Keep in mind, Freeze has beaten Saban on the field two years running now. Since Saban truly got his Crimson Tide Death Star up and running in the 2008 season, only Les Miles has beaten Saban two years running, a 24-21 win in 2010 and the 9-6 "Game of the Century" in 2011. Miles hasn't beaten Saban since.
"I feel like I have to personally recruit 12-15 guys in order to beat a Nick Saban who may call the parent one time."
Alabama has signed the nation's top class, according to Rivals' rankings, in five of the past six years -- and finished second the other year. As Freeze's record can attest, it's actually easier to beat Saban on the field than on the recruiting trail.
