Alabama Crimson Tide

Editor's note: From now until the start of spring camp on March 16, TideNation will count down the 12 most intriguing players to watch on the Alabama football roster. Today we look at quarterback AJ McCarron.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- What do you do for an encore when you've already won three national championships? How do you follow up a historical season where you write school records and lead the country in passing efficiency? How do you make a senior year special when the previous three have already yielded so much?

These are questions AJ McCarron has already pondered. If he hadn't, he wouldn't have decided to announce his intention to return to school for a final season way back in December. He was on his way to another title game and had the option to turn pro and test the NFL waters. Instead, he thought there was unfinished business to be attended to at Alabama.

"I feel like I can still grow," he said. "Hopefully be able to showcase my talents a little bit more next year. And just grow as a quarterback and a leader."

He said he considered the NFL but felt like it wasn't going anywhere. Also, by staying another season he could see his brother develop at tight end for Alabama. Corey, a rising junior, hasn't played in two seasons at UA but might have an opportunity in 2013 with both the tight end and H-back positions up in the air.

What isn't up in the air is AJ McCarron's legacy. After all, that's what he will be playing for in 2013. If he stays on track and doesn't miss any significant time, he very well could wind up the most decorated quarterback in school history. His name is already being mentioned as a Heisman Trophy contender, an award only one other Alabama player has won.

As he's told reporters, another season on campus also means another year to improve his draft stock. Winning games and setting records is one thing, but impressing NFL types is something different entirely. On that front, his resume isn't already complete. There's always more to prove when it comes to courting future employers.

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Editor's note: From now until the start of spring camp on March 16, TideNation will count down the 12 most intriguing players to watch on the Alabama football roster. Today we look at wide receiver Chris Black.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The offseason is about hype. With no games, few press conferences and no interaction with players, the time between the end of the regular season and spring practice is filled with conjecture and speculation about the depth chart, the rising stars and the players facing make-or-break seasons, among other topics.

Among the issues discussed by Alabama fans, none may be more talked about than wide receiver Chris Black. Though the rookie didn't play a single down during his first year on campus, he's one of the most highly anticipated attractions in 2013: Is he 100 percent? Where will he land on the depth chart? Is there any way he'll actually be better than fellow freshman Amari Cooper?

The questions, as ridiculous as they may seem from the outside looking in, are not unfounded. After all, Black was one of the most impressive youngsters during spring camp a year ago. He came to Alabama as the highest-rated receiver in the class, ranked above Cooper by most major recruiting services. Even Nick Saban, who rarely opens up about true freshman with the media, wasn't shy about discussing Black's talent. When he went down with a season-ending injury to his shoulder prior to the start of the regular season, Saban lamented the turn of events.

"He was doing a really good job and he wants to play so bad he can't see straight," Saban said at the time of the injury. "But this is one of the unfortunate things. We feel bad for him but everybody here is going to be very, very supportive. He's going to be an excellent player for us in the future."

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- AJ McCarron was almost giddy when he spoke with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi on the morning of national signing day. Alabama's junior quarterback has won two national championships as a starter, and he broke all kinds of passing records this past season. And despite all he has accomplished, the steely, strong-armed veteran had something to get worked up about, something to look forward to next season.

McCarron wasn't smiling because of the big board of recruits being filled up in the Alabama football offices. He checked out of the recruiting game the minute he signed his own national letter of intent. The quarterback instead went flush when Rinaldi asked what excited him most about the upcoming season.

"My receivers," McCarron answered, laughing nervously. "I look out there and see the explosive guys out wide that can make plays."

McCarron won't lack for options in the passing game in 2013. All of his starters return, including fab freshman Amari Cooper. Cooper, Kevin Norwood and Christion Jones will be joined by a talented group of backups: DeAndrew White, Kenny Bell, Chris Black, Marvin Shinn and Cyrus Jones. Throw in the two wideout prospects and one tight end signed on Wednesday and the list of targets goes up. Robert Foster, the No. 2 receiver in the ESPN 150, and O.J. Howard, the second-ranked tight end/H-back in the country, will make an impact sooner or later.

"We have different types of receivers -- bigger guys, smaller guys that are fast," McCarron told Rinaldi. "It's going to be a fun year for our offense."

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The 2012-13 season is in the books. There are no more position battles to be won and no more jockeying for position in the battle to become the most valuable player for Alabama. Now we can look back and evaluate who were the best athletes to suit it up for the Crimson Tide this season.

1. LG Chance Warmack: If NFL scouts and general managers can recognize it, so can we. Warmack -- yes, a guard -- was the best player on the football field every time he suited up, and not just because of the captivating half-shirt he wore all year revealing his rather large belly. A national television audience saw just how dominant he could be against Notre Dame, as he was in on nearly every key block to spring Alabama's 265 yards on the ground. Heisman Trophy finalist Manti Te'o was neutralized largely because of Warmack's efforts getting to the second level. The All-American left guard will likely go early in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft, leaving behind a legacy few can touch.

2. QB AJ McCarron: Speaking of legacies, McCarron has already sealed his. He's the only quarterback to repeat as a national champion and he holds the all-time passing touchdowns record at Alabama. All that with a year of eligibility remaining. The junior from South Alabama took a major step forward as a quarterback and as a leader this season. He finished just 77 yards shy of 3,000, completed better than 67 percent of his passes and threw a whopping 30 touchdowns to three interceptions to lead the country in passing efficiency. The scary thought? Just how good he and an improved receiving corps can be next season.

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Matt Fortuna talks to Alabama junior wide receiver Kevin Norwood.

Editor's note: Every day from now until kickoff in Miami, TideNation will break down the matchups position-by-position. Today we'll look at the battle of the wide receivers and tight ends.

Alabama: First it was Chris Black who went down with a shoulder injury, then it was DeAndrew White who tore up his knee, followed by Kenny Bell who broke his leg against Auburn. Inconsistency plagued the Alabama receiving corps through no fault of its own. Even the starters couldn't stay healthy for stretches of the season. Kevin Norwood, Christion Jones and Amari Cooper all nursed injuries at one point or another.

Freshmen like Marvin Shinn and Cyrus Jones have been pressed into service and delivered mixed results. The coaching staff even toyed with the idea of bringing Black back for the final two games of the season.

"We haven't had a lot of continuity at receiver," coach Nick Saban said. "We've got guys playing different positions, Amari Cooper was out the LSU game, Kevin was out the last game. We have a lot of different circumstances going on."

Throughout it all, Cooper has emerged as the go-to target. The freshman who enters the title game with 53 catches for 894 yards is close to breaking Julio Jones' records for receptions and yards for a rookie receiver. He's dazzled with highlight reel touchdowns, most recently connecting with AJ McCarron for the game-winning score in the SEC championship game.

But continuity has been an issue, and not just at receiver. Michael Williams has been a constant at tight end, though he's failed to produce much in the passing game. The senior is fourth on the team with 21 receptions and three touchdowns. His counterparts -- Brian Vogler and Kelly Johnson -- have combined for just six catches and no touchdowns.

Notre Dame: In many ways, the Notre Dame passing game is the opposite of Alabama's. Unlike UA, the Fighting Irish have a first-year starter at quarterback who doesn't take many shots downfield. The result has been plenty of passes to his tight end and not so many to his receivers.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Watching Kenny Bell run through drills and speed through his routes, it's hard to believe that only a month ago he broke his tibia, an injury that required surgery. But as the scars form, the junior wide receiver who was Alabama's best deep threat at the position is trying to get himself prepared for Notre Dame and Miami. The trip to South Beach for the BCS Championship Game is only days away.

"He's doing pretty well," sophomore wideout Christion Jones said. It's common for Alabama to allow injured players to stay away from speaking to the media. "He's doing really well to get back and get ready and get involved in practice."

Jones, who himself dealt with a sprained ankle earlier in the season, said he's been surprised by Bell's recovery. Though Bell is still limited in what he can do and continues to wear a black no-contact jersey, the fact that he's even on the field is impressive to Jones, his sophomore teammate from Adamsville, Ala.

"He's recovering quick and hopefully he'll be back and ready to play against Notre Dame," Jones said.

Coach Nick Saban said on Dec. 18 that Bell was "cleared to start doing some things" and that "how he does, how he manages, what his tolerance is to activity is will be determined as we go." Saban added then that he couldn't "make a call as to whether he'll play in the game or not at this juncture."

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Editor’s note: Each day between now and Alabama's date with Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship, we will review the season for a key Crimson Tide player or coach and attempt to project what’s next for him. Today we’ll look at quarterback AJ McCarron.

No. 10 AJ McCarron
Quarterback
Third team All-American selection

Role in 2012: McCarron didn't have to think about battling to become the full-time starting quarterback this season as backup Phillip Sims transferred to Virginia.

The good: The junior took his game to another level in his second year starting under center. For most of the season he led the country in passing efficiency, andn despite a few below-average performances at the tail end of the year, he finished that way, beating out the likes of Georgia's Aaron Murray and West Virginia's Geno Smith. McCarron threw 26 touchdowns to three interceptions, with 2,669 passing yards so far.

The bad: Beyond seeking out another national championship, there's a reason McCarron decided to return for his senior season. His inconsistency down the stretch revealed that there's still work to be done on his game. Whether it was getting happy feet in the pocket, making uncharacteristic reads or letting a ball sail too high, McCarron underwhelmed in key moments against LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia, and with so many NFL scouts watching, he couldn't afford to.

Crystal ball: The good news for McCarron is that while his dream of playing in the pros waits, his receiving corps at Alabama gets stronger. He'll benefit from a number of quality receivers. Outside of the projected starters Kevin Norwood, Christion Jones and Amari Cooper, Alabama will tout talented backups in Kenny Bell, DeAndrew White, Chris Black and Cyrus Jones. As cornerback Dee Milliner put it, "If he comes back with the weapons we have at receiver, he can be unbelievable."

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama starting tailback Eddie Lacy and starting cornerback Dee Milliner are holding off on plans for their future until after the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7. The pair of juniors will wait to determine whether turning pro and entering the NFL draft is the right decision for them.

"I have not made a decision on that yet," said Lacy, who led Alabama with 1,215 yards rushing, Thursday afternoon. "That’s not something I’m thinking about at this time. We have another game left. I have to talk to my parents about it. I have to talk to Coach (Nick) Saban about it.

"That’s an external factor that we cannot allow us to affect us right now. So after the bowl game, after we sit down, we’ll make a decision."

Milliner, whom some consider the top draft-eligible cornerback in the country, said he's taking the same route. For now, he wants to focus on Notre Dame and the final game of the season for Alabama.

"I haven't taken the time out to think about it yet," he said. "After the game I'm going to sit down with my family and Coach Saban and make the best choice for my future."

Milliner, an AP All-American selection, is tied for third in the country in passes defended with 20. He has two interceptions this season and ranks fifth on the team in tackles with 51.

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