AJ McCarron knows the weight that comes with playing quarterback at Alabama, and he’s not asking Keelon Russell to carry all of it at once.
Speaking on “The Dynasty” podcast, the former Crimson Tide quarterback offered a simple message to Russell as he prepares for his first year as Alabama’s starter: ease in, play loose and don’t try to force the moment.
Russell is slated to make his first career start on Sept. 5 against East Carolina, and McCarron said the early approach should be about freedom more than fireworks.
“They went with him for a reason,” McCarron said. “I think the only way it doesn’t work out for him and he gets replaced is multiple games into the season, and it’s just not going well, like say, I mean, even maybe second week Kentucky, we go in at halftime, we’re down, maybe they make a change then.
Um, but other than that, go out, play free. Like just be yourself.
Take care of the football. Don’t try to make the game more than what it is.
It doesn’t have to be anything special. You don’t have to go out and try to win the Heisman or prove anything week one.
Don’t put too much on this kid. Don’t ask him to go win the National Championship game one, let him grow organically throughout this process, and I think he’s gonna be great though.”
Alabama and East Carolina are set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Saturday, with the game airing on ABC.
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