Vols transfer addition Amari Jefferson, who signed with Alabama as a recruit, reveals how he learned Nick Saban was retiring

Tennessee Vols transfer addition Amari Jefferson, a former Alabama wide receiver who left the program after one season in Tuscaloosa, signed with the Crimson Tide out of high school largely because of Nick Saban. 

Jefferson, a former four-star recruit who will be a redshirt freshman for the Vols in 2025, signed with Alabama on December 20, 2023. 

Nearly three weeks later, Saban announced his retirement. 

Jefferson stuck with Alabama for the 2024 season, even though it meant playing for a coach that didn't recruit him. 

The new Volunteer joined Off the Hook Sports on Thursday to discuss his decision to transfer to Tennessee and he revealed how he learned that Saban was retiring. 

"I was actually at baseball workouts at Baylor (school)," said Jefferson. "So we were lifting as a team, because I think it was on a Wednesday, and we had team lifts on Wednesdays. And I remember my head strength coach, he came over to me and he was like 'Nick Saban just retired'. I was like..what? Are you sure? I looked on my phone making sure it wasn't false news or anything and it turned out to be true. That definitely was a heart sinking moment after I had signed and going through the whole recruiting process and putting your trust in Nick Saban. It definitely kind of hurt, just because I thought that was going to be the guy coaching me. But I think it worked out for the better."