re: What does Saban and/or Kirby smart do to have insanely prepared LBs every year?

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Recruit at the highest level

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I don't think this is a good answer to the question. Plenty of teams pull in highly ranked recruits, but not all of those recruits pan out. Many programs can recruit top quality players and even when they are competitive in the SEC, it's rare for a player to be considered one of the top players in the country at his position. Saban has successfully had a linebacker considered the top player at the position for almost a decade.

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coach the kids up at the highest level

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This is what I'm asking about. What does this mean? What does Saban do differently? Does anyone know?

As someone who played high school football and is an avid football fan, I am by no means an expert in assessing the technique of college football players. But in my layman point of view, it's obvious that Saban's linebackers are light years ahead of almost everyone else every season.

And it's not just the quality of the defense as a whole - which is another thread in itself. Reggie Ragland isn't just making easy tackles. The guy makes plays all over the field. As did Moseley. As did Hightower. As did McClain.

Big hits, smart football - it's just amazing to watch every week. They're the smartest, most prepared, most talented, most physical players on the field.

While Saban's defensive line may have weaknesses (pass rush) and the secondary may have issues, the linebackers are always 100% perfect especially at the ILB position.