Nick Saban says Alabama QB offered near $1M endorsement after NCAA rule change

University of Alabama football head coach Nick Saban said the team’s quarterback for next season was offered an almost seven-figure name, image and likeness deal after NCAA changed its rules.

“Our quarterback has already approached ungodly numbers, and he hasn’t even played yet,” Saban said at the Texas High School Coaches Association convention on Tuesday, 247Sports reported. 

“If I told you what it is … it’s almost seven figures,” he added. 

Saban did not say which player, but the starting quarterback expected to play next season is Bryce Young. 

Young is expected to take the position over from Mac Jones, who was drafted by the New England Patriots.

Young served as Jones’s back up quarter back last year. 

“And it’s like, the guy hasn’t even played yet,” Saban said. “But that’s because of our brand.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the NCAA implemented new rules to allow players to make money off of their names, image and likeness.

“NCAA college athletes will have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness beginning Thursday,” the NCAA said in its statement at the time. “Governance bodies in all three divisions today adopted a uniform interim policy suspending NCAA name, image and likeness rules for all incoming and current student-athletes in all sports.” 

“He’s made $1 million, and he hasn’t started a game yet? Wow,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said at SEC media day, ESPN reported. “That number just blew me away.”

“I don’t even know what to respond to that, but that’s great for him,” Kiffin said.