AJ McCarron knows a thing or two about playing quarterback for the Crimson Tide. The Cincinnati Bengals passer is Alabama’s career leader in passing yardage, passing touchdowns and total offense.

So, when a two-time national champion and school legend uses his bye week to come back to Tuscaloosa and watch practice, it’s a good idea to be all ears.

Although his busy NFL schedule doesn’t allow him to watch Alabama the same way that he used to, McCarron has seen enough to know Nick Saban has another great team, highlighted by sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts.

“He’s excellent,” McCarron said of Hurts. “He’s young, but he’s played great. I think he’s done what they have asked. He’s only going to get better, that’s usually how it works whenever you start playing. I’m excited for him. He’s a really good dude.”

On Wednesday, McCarron stopped by the Crimson Tide’s practice facility to say hello to his former coaches and get to know some of the current players on the team. Hurts was one of the guys he made sure he spoke with.

“I talked to (Hurts) a little bit yesterday, but not long,” McCarron said. “I just kind of said what’s up to everybody. This offseason, I plan on working with all of the quarterbacks here. So, hopefully, we’ll get to spend a lot more time together.”

McCarron won 36 games as a three-year starter for Alabama, averaging 12 wins per season during the BCS era. Hurts, who has already reached a national championship game, won 14 games in his first season with the Crimson Tide. Those numbers are great, but it’s something McCarron said Hurts shouldn’t let go to his head.

“Take it day-by-day,” McCarron said. “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. One of the good things about playing (for Alabama) is you’re going to win a lot of games, but a negative that comes with it is there’s going to be a lot of people that tell you how good you are. You can get caught up in that and have a game where you lose, but you're not supposed to lose. Take everything in stride and have fun with it.”

As for the possibility of Hurts reaching the NFL as a quarterback, McCarron said that’s hard to know. He believes it’s “more than likely” the sophomore will play out all four years of his college eligibility, leaving Hurts plenty of chances to show he is capable.

“I think he needs to take care of his body and not take some of the hits that he does. I know he’s an unbelievable runner,” McCarron said. “And also he needs to continue to grow as a passer. I told coach that I’d like to work with him and work with the other guys. I’m not saying that I know everything, but I’ve been around for a long time, and I've learned from a lot of great people.”

Two of those people McCarron has spent time around in his stint with the Bengals include quarterback gurus Tom House and Adam Dedeaux, who have coached Tom Brady, Matt Ryan and several other NFL passers.

“Being able to see someone’s throwing motion and know what they need to fix is good, and I think I could help in that way and help him grow," McCarron said. "He’s young. He’s only going to get better.”