There's More to Alabama Quarterback Mac Jones Than Most Realize
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — They say a picture is worth a thousand words, at least they used to say that when printed pictures were still a thing, but an offseason shot of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones drew a lot more that that.
The photo was posted on social media by former Alabama wide receiver Mac Hereford and taken during the Crimson Tide's 4th Quarter conditioning program in February.
"I just did a somersault and hit my head," Jones said. "I guess that photo kind blew up for whatever reason. I don't know. I mean, I've gotten bloody noses before during scrimmages and stuff but I guess it just happens. Not really that big of a deal."
But it was a big deal.
Jay Barker recently reminded me of such when telling the story about how when he had just taken over as Alabama's starter it was a play during practice that really helped him win over the team.
Let's just say it pretty much had the same result. But no one ever questioned his toughness after that point.
Jones is already a face of the 2020 team even though he's only made four career starts. One of them, Auburn, didn't go the greatest as the Tigers turned two interceptions into touchdowns en route to the victory.
Only Jones came right back and had his best game yet against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
These are the kinds of things that teammates and coaches especially notice.
"The guy showed me a lot of toughness, a lot of moxie," offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian said. "Stood in there and took hits, rebounded from those difficult plays and drove us down when we needed so got a lot of confidence there and then went and played a very good Michigan defense with a very aggressive front and did some nice things in that game so that experience was very helpful for him.”
For whatever reason, too many have been quick to overlook Jones simply because he isn't Tua Tagovailoa.
No one is.
However, Jones shouldn't viewed at as being his replacement or the next guy in the room.
Right now he's simply the guy, the starter until something dictates otherwise.
“I think Mac Jones has taken more of a personal role," junior wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said. "He is more confident. He is really leading the team, you know, he came in late last year. It was more of, you know, a process of him getting better and more confident with the offense.
"Now, he is looking really, really good.”
Star Search
Alabama has five weeks to find a star on defense, and in this case we don't necessarily mean someone who shines brightly.
Yet he will be a principal performer.
Star in Nick Saban's scheme means the nickel defensive back, the extra coverage person in the slot who replaces the strong-side linebacker in obvious passing situations.
It's a crucial role in the defense, so much so that Saban's been known to have his best cornerback defend wide in the base formation and the switch to slot in the nickel and dime packages.
This is a big reason why Alabama signed Ronald Williams Jr., the 6-2 player out of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. Even if he isn't able to make a run at Josh Jobe to start at cornerback, star is just as important.
"We’ve got several guys that we’re looking at from the star position right now, Ronald being one of them," defensive coordinator Pete Golding said. "But I think the big thing in this conference and within this defense, we need to have two corners that can lock it down and I think that’s something that Patrick [Surtain II] and Josh should be able to do for us and they’ve done well up to this point.
"And then for us, it’s find that next best one to be able to bring to the star position and cover those slots that are a big part of multiple offenses and those guys can run in this league. So we’ve definitely got to find a star."
It's the most important position spot that Alabama has to fill, if not before the season starts Sept. 26 at Missouri, but before the showdown with Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium a week later.
No Longer Looking In
They may not be on the field for every down, but Chris Allen and Ben Davis are considered the anchors of the outside linebackers.
Barring something surprising the veterans look to man the strong-side and Jack (hybrid linebacker/end position) in the base package.
"Those guys are taking a leadership role," Golding said. "They’ve worked their rear ends off, they’ve been in here studying, they’ve worked with the young guys on Zoom. It’s really nice right now, those two guys are like coaches on the field. That’s been a big, big help to those young guys in that room that are talented, that can play. And for them to take them under their wing has been really nice."
The tricky thing for them will be playing in obvious pass-rushing situations as well. Alabama added some serious talent on the edges in the last recruiting class, and some the players are too good not to land immediate roles.
But between and Chris Owens apparently getting the first look at center and the Crimson Tide is on target to have more of a veteran look than anyone anticipated this season.
More Tide-bits
• Brian Branch is a name we keep hearing, as the young safety is off to a good start. So are Malachi Moore and Kristian Story. "There are some young guys in the mix,” Golding said.
• Another player who is turning heads is scrappy wide receiver Slade Bolden. He's aiming to be in the top three or four of the overall depth chart. "Slade goes out there every day knowing that he can play inside, outside, just doing everything he can," teammate DeVonta Smith said. "Just the way that he handles himself. He goes out there very confident and comes out to work every day.”
• The line that keeps coming back to me from last week, by linebacker Dylan Moses: "I want to be able to put a punctuation mark on the back end of my Alabama career."
Speaking of Hereford ...
We would be remiss if we didn't point out this recent tweet:
Good luck at Vanderbilt this season.
Did you notice?
• Jerry Jones says the Dallas Cowboys plan to allow some fans in accordance with the state of Texas’s allowance of 50% capacity because AT&T Stadium is like a vacuum cleaner if the roof is open.
• After the NBA lottery, Sports Illustrated did a 60-pick NBA mock draft. Check it out to see where former Alabama guard Kira Lewis Jr. is slated.
This is what life is like inside the NBA bubble for the barbers brought in to keep players looking fresh.
• A Black Colorado State lineman went door-to-door trying to sell roofing and ended up being held at gunpoint.
• Inside the Cardinals' Treacherous Game of Catch-up. The story by Tom Verducci is really good (like usual). After a 16-day pause, the longest midseason stoppage of any team in a non-strike year, St. Louis is having to cram 53 games in 44 days.
Sports Illustrated
Christopher Walsh's notes column All Things CW regularly appears in BamaCentral
