re: Really surprised there were so few transfers into the portal from UCLA and Michigan

Bama from about 2008-2016 was a machine that sold itself on its toughness and ability to bully the rest of college football. It was the message though. It was the collective. The program. As time went on and college football became more of an open business, Nick had to shift the “pitch” along with the philosophy of his program. I think this had an unexpected effect where Nick Saban became solely what the players were committing to and nothing else. Zero. Not education or anything. Just nick. He was like a 3rd parent.