Alabama's Nick Saban Visits Marietta High School

MARIETTA, GA — The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide took some time out from preparing for a National Championship run to visit Marietta High School on Thursday.

According to the Marietta Daily Journal, Saban met with Blue Devils coach Richard Morgan and his staff during the visit. Saban flew into Cobb International Airport-McCollum Field and took a car to Marietta for the scouting trip, the paper reported.

"When somebody like Coach Saban comes in, there’s a lot of excitement, Morgan told the MDJ. "This is the one time of year they come, so this is a very busy time of year if you’re a high school coach with a lot of good players."

Morgan declined to tell the paper which players Saban specifically showed interest in. But there has been lots of collegiate interest in the Blue Devils' sophomore class, which includes talents like quarterback Harrison Bailey, wide receivers Kobe Stewart and Taji Johnson, defensive lineman and tight end Arik Gilbert, athlete Dawson Ellington, safety Rashad Torrence, and lineman B.J. Olulari.

After earning a No. 4 spot in the final College Football Playoffs rankings, Alabama will play No. 1 Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. The winner will advance to the Jan. 8 National Championship Game against the winner between Georgia (No. 3) and Oklahoma (No. 4), who will face off in the Rose Bowl.

To read the MDJ report on Saban's visit, click here.

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File