From Alabama legend to XFL record-breaker and political hopeful
In short: He was the first quarterback to secure back-to-back BCS National Championships. After a professional career defined by NFL backups and injury setbacks, A.J. McCarron found a second wind in the XFL, setting single-game passing records before pivoting toward a new arena: Alabama politics.
A.J. Mc/McCarron's ascent began at the University of Alabama, where he achieved a rare feat in college football history. By leading the Crimson Tide to victories in both the 2012 and 2013 BCS National Championship Games, he became the first quarterback to win consecutive titles in that era. His collegiate tenure was marked by prolific statistics, including a school-record 30 touchdown passes in a single season and a career total of 49 touchdowns.
His transition to the NFL was more turbulent. Despite being a highly-regarded prospect, McCarron was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His professional journey saw him serve as a backup for several franchises, including the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. While he achieved notable success in Cincinnati—including a victory as a starter against the 49ers—his momentum was frequently interrupted by injuries, such as a torn ACL in 2021.
A significant resurgence occurred in the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks. McCarron became a league standout, setting a single-game record with 420 passing yards and six touchdowns in his final 2023 regular-season appearance. He also established a new league benchmark for touchdown passes in a single season with 24. Beyond the field, McCarron's career took a political turn when he announced his 2026 candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in October 2025, though he later withdrew from the race in December of that same year.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: A. J. McCarron
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