After putting work at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, Mac Jones was featured on Good Morning Football via NFL Network.
In speaking with the cast of Kyle Brandt, Peter Schrager, Kate Adams, and Nate Burleson, the 2020 College Football Playoff National Champion for the University of Alabama discussed the New England Patriots, DeVonta Smith, and what separates him from the other top quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Regardless of preseason doubters, Jones turned in a remarkable season with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. He set the Crimson Tide’s single-season school record for yards and joined Tua Tagovailoa as the second signal-caller of the Nick Saban era to have at least 40 scoring tosses.
He made a great first impression on all 32 NFL teams, draft pundits, scouts, and talent evaluators in Mobile, Ala.
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When he was asked what separates him from Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance, the native Floridian immediately credited his mechanics.
.@MacJones_10 joined #GMFB to talk about the @seniorbowl, what separates him from other QBs entering the @NFLDraft, teammate @DeVontaSmith_6, what’s he’s watching from the two #SBLV QBs and more!
“I’m a great passer, not a thrower.” pic.twitter.com/29VbDFkH5m
— GMFB (@gmfb) February 2, 2021
“I think I am obviously a great passer and not a thrower,” Jones said on Good Morning Football. “I can make all the throws and it makes me a passer, but beyond that, I think it’s the intangible things I bring to the table.”
Jones credits his success to his preparation, respect of his teammates, and his command of the huddle.
“I take a lot of pride in those things and that is going to help me win games,” Jones said. “It takes eleven people to win.”
One player that benefitted from having his senior year with Jones was DeVonta Smith.
He could have turned pro after the 2019 season; however, coming back solidified him as a top-five draft pick.
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Smith caught 117 passes (116 from Jones) for 1,856 receiving yards with 23 touchdowns. He won a host of individual hardware, including the Heisman Trophy, Fred Biletnikoff Award, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and Associated Press Player of the Year among other honors.
While there are draft pundits that nit-pick at Smith’s size, Jones has warned teams to not pass on Smith.
“Passing on DeVonta would be a bad idea,” he said. “If you watch the tape and watch what he’s done the past four years at Alabama, he shows up and goes to work. Nobody stopped him in college. NFL is completely different, there is a lot more press, but Smitty has proven he can get off press coverage and get open. Beyond football stuff, he is a great guy too.”
He is looking forward to Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, but could there be a possibility of Jones playing for the Patriots? Bill Belichick’s squad met with Jones, and he hopes he made a good impact.
Obviously, the Belichick-Nick Saban connection is there. Also, Damien Harris is with the Patriots too.
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During their time together with the Tide, Harris often referred to Jones as his son. It would be cool to see the duo reunited.
As he gears up for Alabama’s Pro Day, Jones will continue preparing for the draft.
Tide fans are ready to hear his name called.
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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
