No one had Mac Jones transitioning from a three-star recruit to a national champion to a potential top-five NFL Draft pick, but he has made it to this point.
He turned in one of the greatest single-season efforts by a quarterback at the University of Alabama, totaling 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns to four interceptions. The competition never bothered him as he excelled through each game. His preparation was second to none, and he reaped some awards from it.
Jones was an All-American, first-team All-SEC selection, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year winner, Manning Award winner, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., he was named a permanent team captain by his peers.
He encountered doubters throughout his career, and in 2020 he put it all to rest. Jones guided the Crimson Tide to a perfect season and a national title in one season as a starter.
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He would dominate the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and it started his meteoric rise on NFL Draft boards.
Some are still not sold on him, but the San Francisco 49ers are seriously looking to take him with the No. 3 overall pick on Thursday night.
Jones has even caught the attention of a legendary basketball analyst. Dick Vitale, who is unarguably considered “the voice” of college basketball, said Jones will be a version of Tom Brady. Vitale loves Jones’ passing mechanics and called him a ‘winner.’
Just a football lover & I am no @MelKiperESPN or @McShay13 / yes I don’t have 1% of their knowledge. My VBDI says @AlabamaFTBL ‘s @MacJones_10 will be a version of the GOAT @TomBrady . Mac has accuracy / touch & is a winner.Don’t forget Brady was a 6th TD pick .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 26, 2021
The stories of Brady and Jones are similar.
Both were not highly recruited out of high school. They had to battle other quarterbacks for the starting job. Both had to fend off a talented freshman to keep the starting job, and they had to prove themselves to coaches and fans.
Brady was doubted during the 2000 NFL Draft process and was taken in the sixth round.
He would go on to win seven Super Bowls and is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.
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Jones is currently being doubted in this process. He has the leadership, toughness, competitive fire, and mechanics of Brady.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder refuses to be denied.
He showed pro scouts his athleticism at Alabama’s pro day, and he is prepared to prove why he is the best signal-caller in this draft.
Jones will not fall to the sixth round, but he possesses Brady’s mindset. Fans of the Crimson Tide are ready to see him excel.
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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.
