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Mark Ingram shares Nick Saban’s recruiting pitch that got him to Alabama

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine | Last updated 7/11/23

Mark Ingram is one of several players who helped build the foundation of Alabama’s dominance under Nick Saban.

In the past Saban has highlighted his appreciation for players in Ingram’s class, amongst others, who chose the Crimson Tide even in its down years.

Now, in one of Ingram’s first clips from his career at Fox Sports, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner detailed Saban’s recruiting pitch which ultimately convinced him to take his talents to Tuscaloosa.

"I took that as a challenge.” @AlabamaFTBL is full of opportunities and @markingramII went all in! pic.twitter.com/ltTzYDwTaW

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) July 10, 2023

“Coach Saban’s recruiting pitch was, ‘Listen, if you come here and you’re not a great player it’s your own fault. You have the opportunity to come here and be a great player.’ And what separated that from everyone else was everyone else promised ‘You’re gonna come here be that, you’re gonna come here and do that.’ He was like you have an opportunity.

“And so to me, all a man can ask for in this world is an opportunity. So I took it as a challenge and it was one of the main that separated Alabama and Coach Saban from other recruiting pitches.”

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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