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Jonathan Allen: Bama defense enjoyed getting Nick Saban to yell at Lane Kiffin during practice

Former Alabama defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and his defensive teammates took great pride in getting coach Nick Saban to yell at former offensive coordinator during practices.

Allen was a guest on ESPN Radio’s Russillo and Kanell and was asked if it was more fun to make a sack or get Saban to chew out Kiffin. He quickly chose the latter.

“Oh easily watching Saban crush Kiffin,” Allen said Tuesday. “At practice we would literally literally — it was our goal to see Coach Saban MF Kiffin. That was our goal.”

Allen said the defensive line’s goal would be to dominate the offensive line during practice drills and push its way into the backfield. That’s when it knew Kiffin was going to be on the receiving end of some anger.

“So that’s probably the most fun we have at Alabama — we had at practice this year,” Allen said. “Just watching Coach Saban lay into Kiffin.”

Kiffin, as you know, is currently the head coach at Florida Atlantic. He served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator for three seasons and left the team before the National Championship in 2016. His tenure at Alabama coincided with Allen’s time at the school and the defensive tackle said the former USC coach was the only Alabama assistant he saw give it back to Saban on a regular basis.

“Kiffin was the only guy I’ve seen respond to Coach Saban but at the end of the day, Coach Saban, it’s his world. He’s going to get the last word.”

Allen is a likely early first round selection in the 2017 NFL draft that begins on April 27. Our Shutdown Corner defensive lineman rankings have him as the clear No. 1 prospect in the draft class.

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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!