=== Alabama's McCarron to return for senior season ===
 
 Tuscaloosa,  AL (Sports Network) - Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron will return
 to school for his senior season.
 
 McCarron  leads the  nation in passing efficiency with 26 touchdowns and three
 interceptions. The junior quarterback passed for 2,669 yards while guiding the
 Crimson Tide to a 12-1 record this season.
 
 Alabama  will  face Notre Dame in  the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship
 Game in Miami on Jan. 7.
 
 "I  had many  goals for  myself when  I came  to the  University of  Alabama,"
 McCarron  said. "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."
 
 McCarron's  45  career touchdown passes  ranks second in program history while
 his 24 wins are tied for fifth and his .923 winning percentage as a starter is
 second among Crimson Tide quarterbacks.
 
 "We  are pleased  that AJ  has  decided to  return  for his  senior year  next
 season," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. "He's done a great job for us and
 has  really grown, not  only as a quarterback and a player, but as a leader of
 our  team. Like  I've said  before, we  want to  help our  players make  sound
 decisions  when it comes to what is best for their future. Our goal at Alabama
 is  to help our  guys develop a career off the field by graduating, become the
 best  football  players they can be  during their time  here, and try to win a
 championship while preparing them for the possibility of playing in the NFL.
 
 "AJ  has  great support from  his family and the  people around him. He showed
 very  good  maturity in looking  at all of the  factors and making an informed
 decision  on his  future.  He has  a  chance to  add to  what  he has  already
 accomplished  here while  also better  preparing himself  for the  next level.
 We're excited to have him back for his senior season."
 
 The Crimson Tide will begin practice for the title game on Dec. 18.
 
 
 12/12 18:27:33 ET

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