The rise of Mac Jones to be a starting quarterback for Alabama football is Few one of the best stories of the Nick Saban era.

Few saw the former three-star from Jacksonville (Fla.) in the 2017 signing class emerging to be the Crimson Tide starting quarterback in 2020. Jones played very well in the 2019 Iron Bowl versus Auburn, tossing four touchdown passes.

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People held his two interceptions -- both returned for touchdowns -- against him, but Jones positioned the Tide with an opportunity to win the matchup. Bryce Young, a five-star from California, was expected by most to win the job in 2020.

Jones used moments he had in practice running scout team in 2017 to take the job in 2020 and lead the Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship. In the fourth episode of "The Way It Is" podcast, I recapture a moment from an Alabama practice in 2017 that gave me the confidence that Jones would not only be a starting quarterback but also get the team to a national title.

You can check out The Way It Is by subscribing to TDA+ via touchdownalabama.com.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.