Bengals first-rounder Amarius Mims rejects Nick Saban’s NFL draft criticism

Offensive tackle Amarius Mims, the Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was asked Friday about comments former Alabama Crimson Tide coach and current ESPN analyst Nick Saban made during the broadcast. on ABC/ESPN on Thursday night about Mims’ injury history and lack of game experience at Georgia.

“This guy has all the tools,” Saban said of Mims. “He has great size, he has great power… But it makes you wonder, how did the guy only start eight (games)? Like, in the SEC championship game, he only played the first 15 plays of the game and then he leaves. I don’t know what he hurt, what he hurt, whatever. But you have to be a little more consistent in your performance if you want to be a great player. starter in the National Football League One of the things I see in the guys is that he went to a small school. He was always bigger and better than everyone else. against guys who are as good as you? He’s going to play against guys who are just as good as him now. So if he hasn’t developed these habits, he better focus on them now.

In high school, Mims committed to play for Saban at Alabama but later signed with the Bulldogs.

“Yeah, a lot of people are talking about it, but it is what it is,” the 18th overall pick said when asked if he heard what Saban said.

Mims was asked if he was frustrated with the narrative that he only played eight games at UGA.

“Everyone has their own opinions about me,” Mims responded. “I really don’t care what he said or what he had to say. I’m just happy to be a Cincinnati Bengal. It is what it is. … I have a lot of respect for Coach Saban, even when he said that. He’s one of the greatest college coaches. Like I said, it is what it is, but I’m happy to be a Cincinnati Bengal.

More from the Bengals via Twitter/X from Mims’ introductory press conference:

Saban had the following to say Friday night about Bengals third-round pick Jermaine Burton:

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This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: Amarius Mims rejects Nick Saban’s criticism of the NFL draft