Alabama head football coach Nick Saban Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Four-star flips to Alabama due to opportunity to be coached by Nick Saban

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 8/8/23

If you asked the average college football fan which primetime game they'd want to watch right now if they could only choose one, chances are a clash between Alabama and Georgia would be the answer.

The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have developed a high-level rivalry on the field, but the competition between Nick Saban and Kirby Smart also extends to the recruiting trail—where their two powerhouse programs are often seeking commitments from the same recruits.

In the case of 4-star safety Peyton Woodyard from Bellflower, Calif., it was Saban and his Crimson Tide staff trying to flip a recruit who had already committed to UGA. Perhaps not surprisingly, Saban came out on top.

Woodyard announced his decision to flip from Georgia to Alabama on Tuesday.

Peyton Woodyard had an announcement to make. He’s flipping from Georgia to Alabama. @Coach_TRob continues to put together a strong DB class for the Tide. @HolmonWiggins with the big assist. Read why here: https://t.co/25EgAcAZCH pic.twitter.com/Pu9NSnrzhM
— Tim Watts (@TimWatts_BOL) August 8, 2023

"I'm very excited about my decision," Woodyard told 247Sports "It's been tough and I have great respect for Georgia, [secondary coach] Fran Brown and coach Kirby Smart. Coach Fran is always going to be my guy regardless of what happens, but I really felt like this was the best decision for me."

It shouldn't be surprising that Saban himself played a huge role in this flip for the Tide. Ranked as the No. 6 safety in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite, Woodyard will now have the opportunity to learn from not only one of the greatest coaches of all time but one of the best secondary coaches in college football history.

"The opportunity to be coached by Nick Saban was huge for me," Woodyard said. "He's heavily involved with the defensive backs and specifically the safeties and that was big for me. Coach Saban was personally involved in my recruitment and we talk all the time. He's not just a great coach but a great man and someone I'm very excited to play for."

Speaking of secondaries, Georgia has had some recent success sending cornerbacks to the NFL—Tyson Campbell, Derion Kendrick and Eric Stokes, for example—but Alabama's safety pipeline to the league is almost unmatched.

"They have put so many guys in the [NFL]," Woodyard said. "From Minkah Fitzpatrick to Brian Branch and Landon Collins, I could go on and on."

With the addition of Woodyard, Saban's 2024 class continues to trend elite. It's currently ranked No. 5 in the nation. His 2023 class was ranked No. 1 overall.

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