The Bama Bump. That’s what they called it back in the good old days when the 2000s were single digits old. It was a recruiting phenomenon, and it went like this:

▶ Website gives prospect star rating.

▶ Prospect commits to Alabama.

▶ Website adds additional star(s) to prospect’s rating.

The practice bothered fans of rival schools, but the theory stood on solid ground as Nick Saban’s player procurement and development machine got up and running and fully humming. Self-described “business decisions” by high school players turned into sound investments as their time and effort in Tuscaloosa turned them into independently wealthy NFL players.

The Bama Bump, which at first helped Alabama win more than a few recruiting national championships, eventually shifted from one subjective evaluation

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