JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After Nick Saban announced his retirement, five-star recruit and Mandarin Mustang Jaime Ffrench Jr. decommitted from the University of Alabama.
Ffrench stated that Saban's departure played a role in his decision but wasn't the sole reason.
"It was a big reason, but it wasn't the whole reason. Nobody there recruited me anymore. So it's like I wanted to take a big step back and just overlook things. Schools who were head over heels about me, just take the time to give them some time to overlook things," said Ffrench.
Ffrench, the nation's third-best wide receiver for the recruiting class of 2025 according to 247Sports, is not looking for anything out of the ordinary from his next destination.
"I'm trying to look for who is most family-oriented. Who's going to treat me like home when my parents aren't there. Just trying to get a good feel because I have to be there without my parents," said Ffrench.
For someone who is a five-star recruit, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is definitely something to take into account.
"It's definitely business. It plays a big part in my recruitment, but I wouldn't say that's the whole thing. Just want to go somewhere to be happy. Just be able to have fun and do what you want to do best," said Ffrench.
Ffrench isn't too worried about dealing with competition once he becomes a college freshman.
"I'll go anywhere and compete. I don't really care about sitting out. Just willing to compete, get better, and go to the next level."
Since his decommitment, Ffrench has wasted no time visiting several schools, with a few, in particular, making their marks.
"Couple of schools have been catching my eye. Definitely Ohio State and Florida State. Bama's staff has been reaching out to me lately."
With Ffrench being a junior, he still has time to make his decision and is keeping things in perspective.
"Just keep working. In time, it's going to pay off. The work is going to pay off. Just don't worry about everybody else's journey; worry about yours. I'm not at the point where I want to be yet. I want to get to the NFL, so just keep fighting towards that, and I'll be successful in the very end," said the five-star recruit.