A. J. McCarron

Raymond Anthony "A. J." McCarron Jr. (born September 13, 1990) is an American football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). McCarron played college football at Alabama, where he became the first quarterback to win consecutive BCS National Championship Games with victories in 2012 and 2013. He also received the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Kellen Moore Awards. McCarron was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and played four seasons as a backup. He spent his next four seasons as a backup with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. Following the 2021 NFL season, McCarron joined the XFL. Early years McCarron was born to Dee Dee Bonner and Tony McCarron on September 13, 1990. He also has a younger brother named Corey McCarron who formerly played tight end at Alabama but transferred to play fullback at Middle Tennessee State. McCarron was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School from kindergarten to fourth grade before transferring to St. Paul's Episcopal School. At the age of five, McCarron was severely injured in a jet-ski accident and almost died. He first played football at Trimmier Park and then Langan Park in Mobile. He played on the same park team as future college teammate Mark Barron. During McCarron's junior season of high school, St. Paul's went 14–1 and went on to win the state championship against Briarwood Christian School off a missed PAT. While attending St. Paul's, McCarron was recruited by several football programs in the Southeastern Conference, including Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi, and Tennessee. He committed to the Crimson Tide on May 3, 2008, becoming the only quarterback signed by Alabama for their 2009 recruiting class.