Bama offense hits the field in Miami

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - On the practice field for the first time in the Miami sun, head coach Nick Saban showed off his arm, letting his receivers gets some work in while his quarterbacks did their own drills.

He’s no stranger to south beach, having coached the Dolphins in 2005-2006.

But his quarterback, Mobile native AJ McCarron, also has ties to the area.

“I grew up a big Miami Hurricanes fan.  I love ‘The U,” McCarron said.  “But, I just felt like at the end of the day, the best situation for me was to stay in the state and play for Coach Saban.  I felt like it was the best opportunity for my parents to come watch me every weekend.  I’m close to home, only three hours away, so that was my thinking behind the whole decision.”

Following a season in which McCarron threw 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions, he’s widely considered elite.

He humbly told reporters Thursday that’s due to the caliber of the men around him.

He said the fans and expectations of this team drive him to succeed.

“Playing quarterback at the University of Alabama- everybody knows it can be tough- but I think when they expect so much out of you I also think it brings the best out of you as a player,” McCarron said.

Whatever the case may be, Bama has brought the best out of its young men, and is now trying to complete a dynasty, three national championship wins in four years.