Former UGA Football OL Amarius Mims Responds to Nick Saban's Criticism After NFL Draft
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ATHENS - Fomer UGA Football OL Amarius Mims, who was drafted No. 18 overall Thursday night by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 NFL Draft, said that he “has a lot of respect” for former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Saban, who is now a college football analyst for ESPN, said Thursday night that Mims pulled himself out of the SEC Championship Game in December. Alabama’s 27-24 win over No. 1 UGA knocked the Dawgs out of the College Football Playoff.
"This guy's got all the tools — he's got great size, he's got great power,” Saban said of Mims on ABC's draft broadcast after the Bengals’ selection. “He’s one of the most powerful guys in this draft ... But it makes you wonder, why did the guy only start 8 [games?] Like, in the SEC championship game, he played the first 15 plays of the game and then he's out. Takes himself out. I don't know what he injured, what he hurt, whatever. But you've got to be a little bit more consistent in your performance if you're going to be a great player and a starter in the National Football League.”
On Friday, Mims told the media in Cincinnati that he was OK with Saban’s criticism.
"Everybody has their own opinions of me," Mims said Friday. "I don't really care about what he said or what he had to say, honestly. I'm just glad to be a Cincinnati Bengal. I got a lot of respect for Coach Saban, even when he said that. He’s one of the greatest college head coaches. It is what it is."
