Nick Saban and AJ McCarron will be together in 2013. (AP photo by Dave Martin)
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron will come back next season for his senior year, and Nick Saban said that’s a good decision, even if he had gone high in the NFL draft.
“I think AJ’s decision was based on the fact that, with the quarterbacks, if you’re not going to be one of the very, very top picks, one of the first few guys picked in the draft, where they’re going to make an investment of you being the guy, where you’ll develop as the guy, just like a couple of the guys have this year, it’s very difficult to develop because you don’t get to play very much,” Saban said. “If you play in college you can certainly have a better chance of improving and enhancing your draft status in the future in how you’re evaluated.”
Saban added McCarron loves college football.
“He loves being here,” Saban said. “He loves being on the team. He wanted to get this out of the way make an announcement right away that he’s coming back. We’re very pleased and happy. He made a good decision in what he decided to do.”
McCarron leads the nation in passing efficiency, and his 26 touchdown passes this season are a school record.
This is the statement McCarron released last week through Alabama’s athletic communications office:
“I had many goals for myself when I came to the University of Alabama. I have been lucky enough to achieve some of those goals, but some are still ahead of me. There were many factors in my decision to return to Alabama for my senior year but, after talking with my family and coaches, I knew it was the right choice for me.
“I love the University of Alabama, my coaches, my teammates and our fans. I am excited to have the opportunity to play with my brother (sophomore tight end Corey McCarron), continue to grow as a leader, continue to help our team win football games and develop even further as a quarterback. The NFL has long been a dream, but I think another year at Alabama can only help my chances of being successful at the next level.”
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