Peculiar questions come with media days, like Alabama-Tennessee in October or the Iron Bowl being played each fall.

With the 2023 version of the Southeastern Conference circus kicking off in Nashville on Monday, reporters were ready for a curveball at a moment’s notice. And while it wasn’t Tim Tebow getting a personal, inappropriate question or a head coach being served with a subpoena, someone was bound to draw the ire of a coach. In this case, it was Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher.

Toward the end of his presser in the Grand Hyatt’s main hall, Fisher was asked about Central-Phenix City five-star reciever Cameron Coleman, who committed to the Aggies on July 4. The reporter was wondering about A&M’s pursuit of Coleman, citing a play at the “11th hour” when many expected Coleman to stay close to home.

Before the question could be finished, however, Fisher made it clear he wasn’t taking the bait.

“I’m not allowed to talk about any current recruits that aren’t signed that are on our campus,” Fisher interrupted. “I’m not allowed to have any comments or anything of that nature. All I can say is that we were recruiting him, and that’s it.”

While it’s unlikely Fisher wanted to divulge details of A&M’s recruiting pitch, he was right in that he isn’t allowed to comment on a player the Aggies have yet to officially sign. According to The Athletic, the SEC has had the rule in place for “about 50 years.”

What the reporter was alluding to, it appears, was Coleman’s decision being linked to NIL or pay-for-play, an issue that’s become linked with Texas A&M football. Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Fisher infamously exchanged a war of words a year ago about A&M’s all-time ranked recruiting class with Saban accusing A&M of buying their players and Fisher denying the claim.

Coleman’s recruitment seemingly played out like any other. He received a batch of offers following his junior season and made multiple trips this spring to Auburn, including a 7-on-7 camp and an official visit in mid-June. He also visited A&M and LSU. The Tigers were the favorites through the summer on most recruiting sites and were included in his top-eight released on June 19.

In the aftermath of his commitment, Coleman didn’t directly address why his supposed future on the Plains was dashed. Instead, he retweeted a comment that credits Coleman for keeping people guessing during a quiet recruitment. A&M did earn Coleman’s last official visit, usually a bellwether for prospects.

MORE Media Days: What we learned from Greg Sankey and teams at SEC Media Days opener

Missouri DB on Auburn’s D.J. James: He’s been locking down receivers since high school

Can Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino help Texas A&M’s offense beat Alabama football?

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].