Bama players attend media day

MIAMI (WALA) - What does it take to become a champion? If there was a formula, everyone would be one.

But at the BCS Championship Media Day on Saturday in Miami, Nick Saban revealed one of the team’s strategies to becoming champions: that's to be relentless competitors on game day.

“We recruited and worked to develop this team for a long, long time and it's really a lot more about them being here and having the opportunity and trying to get them prepared to take advantage of the opportunity then it is anything that has happened in my past,” said Saban.

Under a Nick Saban policy, freshmen are not usually allowed to speak to the media, but today, FOX10 had a chance to get to know two Tide freshmen a little better.

The entire Alabama football team, even the true freshman and assistant coaches will be available to the media on Saturday morning at Sun Life Stadium.

Saban talked about the importance of the team being prepared.

“As a team, we certainly embrace the challenges that every season brings and we certainly want our team, our players to demand the standard of excellence so that will help them be all they can be,” said Saban.

"We try to take advantage of the opportunity they have created for themselves in terms of what they have been able to accomplish this year against a very good Notre Dame team. I think a good attitude, trying to be all you can be it sort of shares the responsibility the players and the coaches have to continue to improve so they can reach their full potential,” said Saban

TJ Yeldon, a freshman running back from Daphne, caught the game winning touchdown in Bama’s game against LSU.

“I just keep working hard. It’s a great feeling to be a freshman and having all these accomplishments,” said Yeldon. “Shout out to everybody in Daphne, especially Daphne High school for supporting me.”

AJ McCarron, the Bama quarterback from Mobile, also talked about his local roots, McCarron came from humble beginnings, he said.

“I never really grew up with much of anything so, being in the situation I am now, it really kind of makes you cherish it that much more. A lot of people back home deserve a lot of credit. They helped me and my family throughout the years, helped raise me and become the man that I’ve become. I owe a lot of thanks to the city of Mobile,” said McCarron.

Amari Cooper’s touchdown catch turned the tide against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

“It is a great feeling, but it is something I expected. That’s the whole reason I came here,” said Omari Cooper of his breakout season.