“Seconds Away From Committing to Alabama”: Goldberg’s Son Gage Credits Nick Saban’s Exit as a Key Factor in Colorado Decision

Nick Saban’s retirement after coaching for 17 years at Alabama has become the backdrop of college football headlines. With his sudden exit from college football days after the Crimson Tide lost the playoffs to Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines, a pandemonium has formed. This chaos that ensued with his retirement is seen from both Alabama players as well as potential prospects as Gage Goldberg announces himself as one of them. 

As his father, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg puts it, “Literally our plans completely changed.” Gage Goldberg isn’t the only one who has to change his plans because of the former Alabama HC. After one of the most successful runs with Alabama leading them to six national championships, Nick Saban’s retirement has caused a massive impact on the decisions of several key players. 

Gage Goldberg admits Nick Saban’s retirement drove him to Colorado 

Brian Howell wastes no seconds as he got hold of Colorado’s recently committed preferred walk-on Gage Goldberg. In his recent YouTube interview with the son of WWE legend Bill Goldberg, Howell asked about the 17-year-old’s emotions on joining Coach Prime’s Colorado Buffaloes. The junior Goldberg replied, “I was seconds away from committing to Alabama and then Nick Saban left so that left me in a pothole.”

Gage Goldberg then points to his legendary pro wrestler father who was a former defensive tackle in the NFL. He said, “ He reached out to Deion, and then (Deion) gave him another coach’s number and that coach ended up calling us and offering me a PWO, and then I decided to commit on that same day.” Gage Goldberg is a former first-team all-district 12-5A player at Boerne Champion High School in Texas. 

Impact of Nick Saban’s retirement on college football players 

Recently, Nick Saban has passively spiced up the college football transfer portal that seemed to have quieted down since December. But come January 10 when Saban announced his retirement, unsuspecting college football players were forced to make major decisions in their commitments. With a 30-day window to hit the portal, Alabama has seen several key players leaving for other programs. 

READ MORE: “I’m a CSU Ram And You’ve Made Me a Buff Fan”: Deion Sanders’ Impact Sparks a Noteworthy Culture Shift in Colorado

At least 10 players entered the transfer portal following Nick Saban’s retirement and Kalen DeBoer taking his place as the new HC. In addition to losing potential prospects like Gage Goldberg, Alabama has also lost key players including Caleb Downs and Kadyn Proctor. Even Coach Prime tweeted on X saying, “WOW! College football just lost the GOAT to retirement.” It would be rare to find a college football coach who can beat Saban’s coaching record of 297-71-1. 

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