Alabama football fans knew he could be a special quarterback in the National Football League after watching him lead the Crimson Tide to an undefeated national championship in 2020.
Mac Jones went from a three-star recruit to an All-American, Heisman finalist, and a first-round draft pick in one season, but it took years of hard work. His work ethic proceeded him into the NFL as he beat out Cam Newton in training camp to earn the starting quarterback job for the New England Patriots. Jones went on to lead New England to the playoffs at 10-7 and set a few rookie franchise records. Bill Belichick is sold on Jones as his guy, and Jones has taken this offseason to become even better.
RELATED: Mac Jones almost perfect in team drills at Patriots minicamp
He has changed his body and looks great in OTAs.
When a former peer talks highly of you, people need to take notice. Newton is out of the league, but he was a former NFL Most Valuable Player and he got the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl. Newton was one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league at one time, but he’s not on a team. During an episode of the Pivot Podcast, he explained why Jones is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Newton can be controversial at times, but one has to respect his honesty for Jones as a player.
*Cam Newton challenges Channing on why Mac Jones is going to be a great QB at the 13:58 mark
“I was with Mac Jones. Mac Jones is going to be a great quarterback,” Newton said. “I would put Mac Jones at that 20ish threshold. He’s a young gun.”
Newton believes Jones is one of the top 32 signal-callers in today’s NFL. New England added receiver DeVante Parker in the offseason, and the trio of Kendrick Bourne, Jakobi Meyers, and Nelson Agholor are working well with Jones.
Josh McDaniel is with the raiders now, but Jones looks to elevate his game to the next level.
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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.
