Nick Saban revealed his “biggest nemesis” in college football and the NFL. It was the same person.

Ironically, his biggest nemesis wasn’t the biggest at all.

On Thursday, the Alabama coach met with the media during the Tide’s pro day in Tuscaloosa. When discussing quarterback Bryce Young’s ability, Saban pointed out the only thing critics could point to as a potential negative is his height.

“There really isn’t a negative,” Saban said told the gathered media.

“Drew Brees was always the biggest nemesis Nick Saba ever had whether it was at Michigan State when he was at Purdue or in the NFL. He was 5-11 or whatever.”

In games against Brees-led Purdue teams, Saban was 1-2, including a 52-48 loss in which Brees threw for 509 yards and five scores. For the record, Saban is 1-3 in games against Michigan State in which Brees took a snap. The Saints quarterback took a few snaps in the 1997 win over the Spartans, finishing 1 of 3 for 6 yards.

Brees then went on to an all-pro career, including a Super Bowl win in New Orleans.

His point being, of course, height wasn’t an issue.

“It wasn’t an issue in his college career,” Saban said of Young’s height, “And he’s going to be playing a lot of the same players in that league that he did in the SEC.”

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.