MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — He wasn’t as familiar as AJ McCarron, as popular as Jalen Hurts or as flashy as Tua Tagovailoa. In many ways, Mac Jones began the 2020 season as the archetype of so many forgettable Alabama quarterbacks whose existence was defined by simply not messing up.
Jones ended it, though, in a category all his own: He owns the greatest season by any quarterback in school history.
“I just think it’s cool,” he said. “The four teams I played on, I’m so blessed to be on each one and win two national championships – one watching from the sideline and one getting a chance to play it shows anything is possible. If you put your mind to something and believe in your teammates and coaches you can get it done.”
Though the 2020 season for Alabama will be defined in many ways by receiver DeVonta Smith’s torrid run through the final two months and subsequent Heisman Trophy win, somebody had to throw him those passes.
And Jones did it superbly all season but particularly in Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game. In Alabama’s 52-24 win over Ohio State, Jones finished 36-of-45 for 464 yards and five touchdowns, finishing a season in which he completed 77 percent of his passes with just four interceptions in 402 throws.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones celebrates with the CFP National Championship trophy (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
“We knew we’d have to throw the ball to win, and we did it effectively,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.
Jones did make one mistake in the title game, losing a fumble under pressure in the second quarter that gave the Buckeyes some momentum. But that was the only moment of drama, as he repeatedly found the open guy in Smith (12 receptions), John Metchie (eight receptions), Najee Harris (seven catches) and a few others.
Though Jones is a redshirt junior and could potentially come back for a 2021 season, it sure seemed like a heck of a note to go out on. Afterward, he didn't commit either way.
“Obviously there’s decisions to be made, but I’ll make the best one for me and my family and I put myself in a position to do either one — come back or go to the NFL,” he said. “So we’ll discuss that this week and see what my plan is.”
A year ago, it was hard to imagine that kind of conversation taking place for Jones. As Tua Tagovailoa’s backup, he didn’t get many reps in high-pressure situations until Tagovailoa suffered an injury in mid-November and suddenly became the starter for the Iron Bowl.
Jones showed some flashes, throwing for 335 yards, but he also threw two pick-sixes that contributed to Auburn's 48-45 win.
Coming into 2020, Jones was seen as something of a question mark. He ended it as one of the best players in college football, third in the Heisman Trophy v. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and led the nation in passing efficiency. And his team went 13-0.
“Just his commitment, his dedication to everything got him prepared for moments like this,” Smith said. "Getting in the film room, I don’t think nobody prepared as hard as him of anybody on this team.”
Source: Read Full Article