Nick Saban has long believed that all players should contribute on special teams. But on the SEC coaches media teleconference on Wednesday, Saban explained his philosophy for getting contributions.

“We try to get all of our players to buy-in on the importance of special teams,” Saban said. “If you want to play in the NFL, which most of our guys do, unless you are the star player, you are going to have to play special teams… we like our starters to play special teams, not more than two units, ideally.”

Saban explained how Mac Jones has developed after watching other star quarterbacks early in his career.

“Mac has always been a guy that has taken to coaching really well,” Saban said. “He looked at his career more I need to develop, emotionally, physically… he was all about what do I need to do to get better every day. he sat behind some good players, Jalen (Hurts) and Tua (Tagovailoa). He got to see their examples on how to do things. Mac was really special when it came to improving. that’s where his mindset has always been.”

Alabama travels to LSU this week for a primetime game on CBS looking to avenge last year’s loss to the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.