Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin has accused Alabama of “illegally” recruiting All-American Graham Nicholson, a charge Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer denies.
Martin made the accusation after being asked in a video on the school’s website about “losing” his star player through the transfer portal. Nicholson, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top player last season, replaces Will Richard on Alabama’s preseason No. 5 team, which opens the season on Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky.
“We didn’t lose him,” Martin said. “He’s in Alabama. We know exactly where he is. You media people, this is all just an act. Like, no, Alabama stole our player. They illegally drafted our player and stole him from us.”
“It’s a fact. But we act like it’s not… We live in a ‘no no’ kind of world, like, hey, let’s not talk about it.” [reality]”I don’t know why. Everybody knows what’s going on. Alabama stole our player. Two other schools tried to steal him.”
Alabama followed the correct protocols, DeBoer said after practice Thursday.
“He came in the gate, and we communicated with him,” the Crimson Tide coach said. “That’s how it works, right? We did everything the way we’re supposed to.”
Nicholson made 27 of 28 field goals last season for the Red Hawks and all but one of his 36 extra-time attempts. He was the first recipient of the Mid-American Conference’s Lou Groza Award.
Richard, a sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings, set the FBS record for points scored during his playing career at Alabama with 547 points.
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”