Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban, has offered his first public comments regarding the recent arrest of offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett on charges of knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.
During a media event for the Rose Bowl at Disneyland, Saban stated that the university is handling the situation internally, emphasizing that Pritchett’s status on the team has not been impacted at this point.
“We’re handling this set of circumstances internally, and that’s all I can really comment about it,” Saban stated, as reported by AL.com’s Nick Alvarez.
Pritchett, a five-star recruit from the class of 2022, played as a backup in all 13 of Alabama’s games this season. Although he initially entered the transfer portal, he later reversed his decision earlier this month.
The 19-year-old offensive tackle was arrested last Wednesday and charged with a Class C misdemeanor, which carries potential penalties of up to three months in jail and fines of up to $500. Due to his youthful offender status, additional details regarding his case cannot be disclosed.
As of now, Pritchett’s eligibility for Monday’s Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan seems intact. If he remains with the team, he could compete for a starting role in 2024.
Alabama, in its eighth College Football Playoff appearance, aims to secure a national title. The journey begins with Saban leading the Crimson Tide against Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day at 5 p.m. ET.
Asked Nick Saban about Alabama OL Elijah Pritchett: "We’re handling his circumstance internally."
Pritchett remains with the team after his arrest last week @aldotcomTide https://t.co/yeDOy6IReB
— Nick Alvarez (@nick_a_alvarez) December 28, 2023