I asked his mom what she learned going through this after it had all played out and she replied to “you can’t always believe what what people tell you.”
She is the most even-keeled person I know, content to live simply and not showy, and doesn’t seek glory or pride through her kids. They didn’t make a big stink about it — we know because we are close to them. Saban wouldn’t play him and made it extremely difficult for him to play for a different school. You can call BS, but we know this particular situation well.
This is why college football is a corrupt sewer of a sport. The notion that someone can tell you can’t leave and play for someone else is borderline criminal.
I know of particular situations myself. Saban does not promise playing time to anyone. This is a well known fact.