Nick Saban says Jonathan Taylor was not given 'due process'
Defensive tackle Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the Alabama football program in March after he was arrested for domestic violence. Taylor had previously been dismissed from Georgia for a previous domestic violence case, so he was on a zero tolerance policy at Alabama.
Taylor’s accuser recanted her statements a day after his dismissal from the Crimson Tide program, and the domestic violence charge was dropped earlier this month. Though Taylor did plead guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said Wednesday at SEC Media Days that Taylor was not given “due process” before he was booted from the program.
“I do not regret giving players opportunities,” Saban said. “This is an opportunity that we gave a player that didn't work, but in fairness to the player, he didn't really get the kind of due process before he was judged as maybe he – as any person should. But it is what it is. We've all moved on. He was in zero tolerance, and therefore, we've moved on.”
Taylor told ESPN’s Joe Schad that he appreciated Saban’s words.
"Coach Saban is a great person who does believe in due process, who does believe in second chances," Taylor said. "He's not a guy who worries about what people think. I wish Alabama would have waited, because it was shown I did nothing wrong."
Taylor told Schad that he has a few options for the upcoming season, including Southeastern Louisiana.
"My story is going to end well because I'm going to give my all to my education and to my team," Taylor said. "People who have never met me may think they know me, but I don't think they do know what I have and have not done and who I am."
Taylor still faces charges for the incident that led to his dismissal at Georgia.
For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
