AJ McCarron: I sacrificed a lot for Nick Saban and Alabama

It’s been an emotional run over the last several months for former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. The good news is that he landed on his feet in Cincinnati during the NFL Draft’s fifth round.

McCarron was said to be rated as high as the No. 16 overall prospect, and at worst the 35th overall prospect. Then, he started free falling during the NFL Draft and wound up all the way at the No. 164 overall pick with the Bengals.

RELATED: Why did McCarron slide during the NFL Draft?

During the draft, reports spread that McCarron had rubbed teams the wrong way and that he’d been ‘cocky’ during his pre-draft interviews, ultimately turning teams off.

McCarron joined XMRadio to talk about what a tough process it’s been and explained how he wasn’t healthy while at Alabama.

“A lot of people don’t realize I wasn’t healthy at Alabama,” McCarron said. “I sacrificed a lot to play for coach Saban and that university; I played through a lot of injuries and we never leaked it because that’s just the way it is.

“I’ve played through a lot, just try to fight through for my teammates and my team.”

After receiving some negative feedback regarding his comments, McCarron went on a Twitter rant regarding the criticism.

I never said I didn’t love my time at Bama I said myself & other guys played through a lot of injuries for our great university & for fans.. — AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) May 12, 2014

To say that I wasn’t a good leader is crazy. All you have to do is ask the other two captains @TreyDeuce32RTR & @MrClutch_83 if I wasn’t ? — AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) May 12, 2014

People need to understand I wasn’t bashing anybody at all or coach. He’s like a dad to me all I was saying was us as players give a lot so — AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) May 12, 2014

To hear people make up rumors ab you that aren’t true. That’s what sucks when you sacrificed so much for your team & university while there! — AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) May 12, 2014

Y’all stop reading so much into this media bull.. I love Bama & always will. Roll Tide for life. Love my fans and ex-teammates/brothers #RTR — AJ McCarron (@10AJMcCarron) May 12, 2014

The quarterback’s free fall wasn’t only surprising to McCarron, but it was surprising to many. Outside of the first-round picks and Michael Sam, McCarron’s draft slide is one of the draft’s most interesting stories.

McCarron skipped the Senior Bowl and didn’t work out in front of scouts. Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo replaced McCarron on the Senior Bowl roster and was picked 62nd overall by the Patriots.

However, through all the smoke and the rollercoaster, McCarron actually landed in a sweet spot with the Bengals. Andy Dalton and former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell are ahead of McCarron on the depth chart, but patience is growing thin for Dalton. It seems the Bengals are just a quarterback away from competing for Super Bowls.

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports