Saban Sighting
Nick Saban visits North Forest’s football program
Edward McFarland
Jan 26, 2018, 11:55 am
Originally appeared on Vype.com
As a high school football player if there’s any college coach you want looking at you it’s Nick Saban.
After winning his sixth national championship a few weeks ago, he’s now considered arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time.
Saban came down to North Forest High School recently with his eyes set on junior offensive tackle Javonne Shepherd and sophomore receiver Demond Demas.
“Saban didn’t get to meet with them,” Clifton Terrell, North Forest’s head coach said. “But he told me that Alabama wanted to offer both of them scholarships.”
Saban’s time on North Forest campus was spent by watching film on Shepherd and Demas plus talking with coaches and the school principal.
The back story of Shepherd and Demas getting recruited by Alabama is that the two were brought to Saban’s attention from a new assistant coach that was once recruiting Shepherd and Demas from a different school.
The assistant coach saw Shepherd and Demas' talent at a football camp and has been trying to recruit them ever since.
Once the assistant coach made the switch over to Alabama, he kept urging Saban to take a look at the two players.
Other programs that have passed through North Forest recently have been Texas A&M and the University of Houston. Ole Miss and Tennessee are scheduled to come to the school in weeks ahead.
Though Saban was only offering Shepherd and Demas a scholarship it was definitely inspiring for the other players to see him on campus.
“I hope this encourages all the players to keep working hard,” Terrell said. “As coaches we’re just trying to keep them focus and make sure we don’t let them fail and do anything to lose the opportunities they’re being blessed with.”
One of the main areas of improvement for the Texans this season, has been the running game with the addition of Joe Mixon.
Mixon rushed for 100 yards or more in 5 of his first 6 games with the team. But unfortunately for Houston, Mixon hasn't been nearly as effective recently.
When looking at his recent numbers, Mixon has failed to rush for more than 46 yards in 3 of his last 5 games. Posting only 26 rushing yards against Miami on Sunday.
With this in mind, is the state of Houston's run game a major concern, especially when the playoffs begin?
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's Joel Blank and special guest Barry Laminack share their thoughts.