Nick saban raves over nfl draft hopeful minkah fitzpatrick

1. 4/23/2018 Nick Saban raves over NFL draft hopeful Minkah Fitzpatrick
https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Bolt/2018-NFL-Draft-Nick-Saban-raves-over-Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Football-DB-Minkah-Fitzpatrick-117145602
Charlie Potter - Apr 8, 7:00 PM  5
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Nick Saban raves over NFL draft hopeful
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Throughout his career at Alabama, Minkah Fitzpatrick (//247sports.com/Player/Minkah-Fitzpatrick-
27783) was said to have the same personality as Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban
(//247sports.com/Coach/Nick-Saban-3) , especially when it came to his football preparation.
But in an interview with The Chronicle-Telegram (https://www.brownszone.com/2018/04/07/nick-
saban-says-db-minkah-fitzpatrick-has-the-personality-drive-and-talent-to-be-a-big-hit-in-the-nfl/) ,
Saban said he doesn’t see that.
“I wouldn’t put that on anyone,” Saban said. “He’s better than me in a lot of ways.”
Fitzpatrick is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft at the end of the month. The
unanimous All-American is expected to be a top-15 pick on April 26, and Saban, having coached
nine total top-10 draft picks at Alabama, believes he belongs.
“As a player, is he a top-five pick? Yeah,” Saban said.
The winner of the Bednarik and Thorpe awards, Fitzpatrick registered 60 tackles during the 2017
season, which was good for fourth place on Alabama’s defense, and also contributed eight tackles
for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pass breakups and three interceptions.
During this 3-year career in Tuscaloosa, the Old Bridge, N.J., native recorded 171 total tackles, 16
tackles for loss, nine interceptions (including four pick-sixes) and 4.5 sacks.
He ended his collegiate campaign as one of the most versatile defenders in the country, as he
showed he could play all six defensive back positions, playing three as a junior.
“I always thought he made a lot of plays with his eyes,” Saban said. “It was one of the reasons we
didn’t keep him playing corner was there are less opportunities to make plays with your eyes when
playing corner, looking at your man. He’s a really good athlete, a cover guy and physical enough
versus the run.”
It was clear, even before the 2017 season, Fitzpatrick was one of Saban’s favorites in his now 12
years coaching the Tide. On several occasions, including his interview with The Chronicle-
Telegram (https://www.brownszone.com/2018/04/07/nick-saban-says-db-minkah-fitzpatrick-has-
the-personality-drive-and-talent-to-be-a-big-hit-in-the-nfl/) , Saban was sure to mention the former
5-star recruit was never in his office for doing something wrong. “He’s very responsible. He’s a
good citizen, a good leader.”
A finalist for the first-ever Jason Witten Man of the Year Award, Fitzpatrick excelled off the field in
college and is likely to do the same in his next city. But whichever team drafts him, his coach wants

2. 4/23/2018 Nick Saban raves over NFL draft hopeful Minkah Fitzpatrick
https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Bolt/2018-NFL-Draft-Nick-Saban-raves-over-Alabama-Crimson-Tide-Football-DB-Minkah-Fitzpatrick-117145602
them to know they’re getting a Swiss Army Knife of a player.
“He’s kind of a unique guy,” Saban said. “A lot of times talented guys don’t have overachieving
personality types. He wants to be the best and goes out and works hard every day.
“He’s the exact model you love to have as a coach. The guy is very talented. He’s smart, bright, can
learn. He really competed to be the absolute best at what he does. I don’t even know if I can
describe him well enough.”
Fitzpatrick will attend the 2018 NFL Draft in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, April 26.
Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter
(https://twitter.com/Charlie_Potter) ).
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