National Football League

Saban denies giving Burress bad draft grade information

Published Jul. 20, 2015 2:36 p.m. ET

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By Steve DelVecchio

Nick Saban complained last week about college football draft grades being released before the conclusion of the season, and former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress ripped the Alabama coach for it. In short, Burress found Saban’s comments to be incredibly hypocritical.

In a series of tweets that you can read here, Burress, who played for Saban at Michigan State, blasted Saban for leaving the Spartans for a bigger payday with LSU. He also accused Saban of telling him he was a second-round pick.

On Monday, Saban said he has no recollection of having any such conversation with Burress.

“I’ve never knowingly told a player any information that I get, I get from someone else,” Saban said on ESPN’s First Take, per Michael Casagrande of AL.com. “And I can’t even remember the conversation. I actually left Michigan State right after the Penn State game. I didn’t stay for the bowl game when I went to LSU and that was Plax’s senior year. We’re proud of what he’s been able to do and we’re happy to see him have as much success as he’s had.”

Saban later reiterated the stance during an interview with ESPN’s Colin Cowherd.

“I don’t recall, but I never ever knowingly or willingly not told the truth to any player,” he said.”

Burress, who was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 8th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, claims Saban told him he would be a second-round pick in an attempt to convince Burress to stay in school. Some of you probably remember what Burress said several months ago about Saban leaving him high and dry at Michigan State.

While Burress is clearly biased when it comes to all things Saban, it was hard not to interpret Saban’s comments about draft grades as an excuse for why Alabama lost in the College Football Playoff. He probably wishes he could take it back at this point.

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