Nick Saban Reflects on Key Recruiting Error as Mason Taylor Goes Second Round in NFL Draft
In a candid moment during the 2025 NFL Draft, Alabama football coach Nick Saban expressed his regret over a significant recruiting misstep: failing to secure tight end Mason Taylor. The New York Jets selected Taylor in the second round on Friday, a player who had made a notable impact over three seasons at LSU.
“This is the biggest recruiting mistake we ever made,” Saban told ABC. “This guy is the best tight end we had in camp.” The draft coverage highlighted a crucial moment from the 2022 Alabama vs. LSU game, where Taylor’s game-winning two-point conversion led to an upset that knocked Saban’s team out of the playoffs.
Taylor, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor and nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas, played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida. Saban recounted how Alabama hesitated to extend an offer to Taylor, who ultimately committed to LSU. “This guy is an outstanding player,” Saban said, emphasizing Taylor’s versatility in playing multiple tight end positions, from traditional hand-in-the-dirt roles to lining up as a wideout.
As the draft continues, with the second and third rounds taking place Friday night followed by rounds four through seven on Saturday, Saban’s reflections serve as a reminder of the inherent challenges in recruiting elite talent. For Alabama fans and observers, the story of Mason Taylor will remain a poignant chapter in Saban’s recruiting legacy.
Nick Kelly, an Alabama beat writer, covers the unfolding events of the draft for the Alabama Media Group. Be sure to follow him for updates on social media platforms.
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