When Lanie Kiffin looks back at Tua Tagovailoa’s highlight-filled career at Alabama, one of the things that stands out to the former Alabama offensive coordinator is the left-hander’s willingness to sign with a school with the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year returning at quarterback.

“At the time, I wrote that he reminds me of Steve Young,” Kiffin said about seeing the Hawaii native work out for the first time as a high schooler. "He’s a very smooth left-hander, great feet, unbelievable accuracy and release.

“The thing that impressed me the most was the he signed after (former Alabama quarterback) Jalen (Hurts). Jalen was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. The fact that he could go anywhere in the country as arguably the best quarterback in the country and you go there? That’s so unusual. That just shows how competitive that he was.”

Kiffin, who was a guest on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Tuesday, pointed out that Tagovailoa wasn’t the only quarterback Alabama signed that year.

So, what does it say to Kiffin about Mac Jones, who committed to Alabama after Tagovailoa did? Yeah, Kiffin’s just as impressed.

Both Tagovailoa and Jones have gotten plenty of press this week as Tagovailoa recovers from a high-ankle sprain, leaving the Crimson Tide’s offense in the hands of Jones.

“It’s funny because we signed two that year,” Kiffin recalled of his time at Alabama under Nick Saban. "It was even crazier because after Tua had committed, Mac Jones did the same thing.

“It says a lot about both to me.”

Kiffin said Jones has similar traits to another starting quarterback in the SEC.

“It’s crazy to have insight into all these quarterbacks, having been there," Kiffin said. "I compared him to (Georgia quarterback) Jake Fromm,” Kiffin said. “Here’s a game-manager in a good way. Like Jake, he really understands the game, knows where to get the ball and a very smart kid. He comes from a great family, loves the position and learning the position.”

No. 1 Alabama (7-0) hosts Arkansas (2-5) on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Check out the entire interview here.