Jalen Hurts is a Big 12 man now; however, Nick Saban is not shy about talking up the options behind Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback for the University of Alabama.
He was hidden behind Hurts and Tagovailoa in the last two years and while people doubt his abilities to run the Crimson Tide’s offense, Saban knows what he has in Mac Jones.
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The redshirt sophomore from Jacksonville, Fla., has worked tirelessly all offseason to not only prove critics wrong, but to also show supporters of the program as to why he signed in the 2017 class.
Whether it has been at home, with teammates or friends, Jones has been viewed on social media developing his footwork, strengthening his arm and becoming the total package.
On Wednesday, Saban told reporters that Jones has “matured” at QB.
“Well, Mac has made a lot of improvements,” he said at SEC Media Days.
“He’s a very bright guy. He’s got good knowledge of the position. Mac is a very emotional guy. So we like to try to get guys to play with emotion, but not be emotional, because sometimes when you get too emotional, you don’t make good decisions, and that’s one of the things that we worked really hard, and he’s made a lot of progress in that area.”
Former Tide running back Damien Harris can confirm this statement.
He looks upon Jones as a son and upon speaking to him prior to last season, Harris told yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine on how the quarterback was growing in confidence.
Harris said the small things that would normally upset Jones don’t bother him anymore.
According to sources, TDAM was made aware of Jones’ work ethic all summer. It was mentioned how he has “cranked it up” and how he looks “like a pro quarterback” now.
Regardless of him being No. 2, Jones trains as if he is the starter.
“And, you know, his consistency and performance has been very, very good,” Saban continued on Jones.
“He did get to play some last year. So, this is not going to be totally foreign to him if he has to go in a game and play. Hopefully we’ll have good enough players around him that it will help him have a chance to succeed. But we’ve been pleased with his progress. We’re confident that he’s capable. It’s our job to be able to get him to a point where he has enough consistency to be able to play if we need him to.”
Alabama’s cast of wide receivers are more than good enough to help Jones.
It returns a Fred Biletnikoff Award winner in Jerry Jeudy and the trio of DeVonta Smith, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle all have defensive backs scared. Even the second-tier guys like John Metchie, Xavier Williams, Tyrell Shavers and Slade Bolden can be really good players.
Kirby Smart of Georgia has already lost two championship games because of a backup quarterback, but can Jones be the third to victimize him? Fall practice is almost here and the product from The Bolles School looks to show he resembles AJ McCarron with his style.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
