Like a Flashback to Glory Days: No. 2 Alabama Prospect Anthony Jones Visits Nick Saban During Official Weekend Trip

In a moment that conjured up echoes of Alabama football’s most dominant era, Anthony Jones—the No. 2 overall player in the state—walked through the hallowed halls of the Crimson Tide’s Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility and stepped into the office of a legend. Nick Saban, the retired architect of Alabama’s modern dynasty, greeted Jones like an old friend, offering a familiar handshake, a warm smile, and the kind of recruiting pitch that only Saban could still deliver, even in his advisory role.

For Jones, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound edge rusher from Montgomery’s Carver High School, the visit was a dream come true. For Alabama football fans, it was a sign that the program’s soul—crafted and refined by Saban over the course of nearly two decades—remains vibrantly intact, even in the wake of his retirement earlier this year.

“It was surreal,” Jones said after the visit. “Growing up, I watched Alabama dominate every Saturday. Coach Saban was the face of that. Just being in his office, hearing him talk football and life—it felt like I was part of something bigger.”

The official visit was part of a pivotal recruiting weekend in Tuscaloosa, where new head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff hosted a blend of high-profile targets and committed prospects. But the highlight was undoubtedly the meeting between Saban and Jones, who is considered a top-10 national prospect in the 2025 class by virtually every recruiting service.

While Saban is no longer the man calling the shots on Saturdays, his influence still lingers powerfully. Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne confirmed that Saban has embraced a behind-the-scenes role, offering insights, guidance, and yes, the occasional recruiting assist when requested.

“Coach Saban’s presence continues to elevate everything we do,” Byrne said earlier this spring. “He’s earned the right to contribute in ways that make sense for him and the program.”

That’s exactly what unfolded this weekend. Though DeBoer is charting his own course—bringing his unique offensive philosophy and player-first culture from Washington to Alabama—he’s done so with respect and reverence for the legacy Saban built. Allowing Saban to be part of a visit with a player like Jones signals that Alabama’s new regime values continuity as much as innovation.

Sources close to the program revealed that Saban spoke candidly to Jones about the realities of being a student-athlete at Alabama, the expectations of wearing the crimson and white, and how the culture forged in his tenure will endure under DeBoer’s leadership.

“It wasn’t even about me being a recruit,” Jones said. “He talked about discipline, consistency, how to approach life. It hit home. It’s stuff you carry beyond football.”

For Jones, the visit also offered a chance to reconnect with some familiar faces. He has long admired former Alabama greats like Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner—players whose paths he hopes to follow. The Tide staff made sure to highlight those comparisons, showing Jones film of past edge rushers who thrived in the Alabama system and went on to NFL stardom.

Though it’s still early in his recruitment, Alabama’s pitch—bolstered by the presence of Saban and the excitement surrounding DeBoer—has vaulted the Tide into a leading position. Other suitors remain heavily in the mix, including Georgia, LSU, and Texas, but Jones made no secret of how meaningful the visit was.

“You can feel the energy is still there,” Jones said. “It’s different coaches, but the goals haven’t changed. Compete for titles. Be great. That’s what I want.”

DeBoer and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack were both hands-on during the visit, detailing how Jones could be a centerpiece of Alabama’s defensive front. Wommack, in particular, is known for developing aggressive, versatile defenders—something that fits Jones’s skillset to perfection.

“Coach Wommack broke down how I could be used in a hybrid role,” Jones said. “Dropping back, rushing the edge, even playing inside on certain packages. That’s what I love—being moved around and making plays.”

Jones’s athletic profile makes him an ideal fit for that kind of dynamic usage. As a junior, he racked up 22 sacks and 37 tackles for loss, wreaking havoc from multiple alignments. He combines elite first-step quickness with a relentless motor and surprising bend for a player of his size. College coaches see him not just as a difference-maker but as a culture-setter.

“Anthony is the kind of player who changes your defense from day one,” one SEC assistant coach said. “But it’s the mindset that really sets him apart. He wants to be great, and he puts in the work to back it up.”

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Jones also connected with current Alabama players, many of whom were recruited during the final years of the Saban era. The message from them was clear: though times are changing, the standard remains the same.

“The guys said Coach DeBoer is legit,” Jones said. “They said he listens, he’s real with you, and he wants you to develop as a man and as a player. That stood out.”

Alabama has long prided itself on its “Process”—a term that became synonymous with Saban’s blueprint for sustained success. But with the dawn of a new era, there’s a renewed effort to blend the old with the new, preserving the foundation while adding modern wrinkles.

For fans watching from the outside, seeing Jones post pictures with Saban on social media—complete with a caption that read, “Legends never fade”—felt like a full-circle moment. Here was the state’s most sought-after defender, soaking in wisdom from the man who turned Alabama into a dynasty.

Whether or not that meeting ultimately sways Jones to commit to Alabama remains to be seen. He’s expected to take additional official visits before making a decision in the fall, with Georgia and LSU both slated to host him in July.

But there’s no denying the emotional weight of the Tuscaloosa visit. For a generation of recruits who grew up watching Alabama dominate college football, the chance to sit down with Nick Saban—even in retirement—still carries unmatched gravity.

“It’s almost like old times,” one Alabama staffer said. “Coach Saban steps into a room and you can feel it. And when he talks, everyone listens—especially the top guys like Anthony.”

In an era where name, image, and likeness deals are reshaping the recruiting landscape and coaching turnover is more common than ever, the connection between Saban and Jones served as a reminder of what still matters: relationships, tradition, and the enduring pursuit of excellence.

Whether Jones ultimately dons the crimson helmet or chooses another path, his visit with Nick Saban will likely remain a core memory—a symbol of what Alabama football represents and what it continues to strive toward under DeBoer.

As for Alabama, hosting a player of Jones’s caliber and seeing him embrace both the past and the future of the program is an encouraging sign that the Tide, even in transition, remains a top destination for elite talent.

“He told me to trust my heart,” Jones said of Saban’s parting advice. “He said don’t chase hype. Chase greatness. That stuck with me.”

And with that, Anthony Jones walked out of Saban’s office—grateful for the moment, focused on the journey ahead, and perhaps already imagining what it might be like to return someday as part of the next great chapter of Alabama football.