Mac Jones’ road to the NFL was different than most first-round quarterbacks. Instead of starting during his freshman season or full sophomore campaign, Jones didn’t take control of the team until late in his college career, because of the two quarterbacks in front of them.
One of those heralded pass-throwers thinks that’s exactly why Jones will succeed in the NFL.
In a recent interview with WVTM 13 Birmingham, Jalen Hurts said Jones was given the luxury of watching before playing. That knowledge could help him more easily adjust to the NFL.
“Mac Jones, he had the opportunity -- I think the best way you can learn is to watch,” Hurts said. “Watch, take note of those around you, kind of learn the lay of the land, if you will, and learn that way. Mac had a very unique college career where he had to stay patient, and it worked out for him.”
During Jones’ freshman season, he sat behind Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, who helped lead Alabama to their fourth straight national championship game. Tagovailoa supplanted Hurts as the starter, propelling him to transfer to Oklahoma for his senior seasons.
The Eagles selected Hurts with the No. 53 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa started for the first half of the 2019 season, only to suffer a devastating hip injury midway through. That’s when the Mac Jones era began in Tuscaloosa. After a poor showing against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Jones recovered to lead the Crimson Tide to a victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
Months later, the Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa at No. 5 overall.
Then Jones lit it up. He put up incredible numbers in his junior season, completing 77 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Yes, Jones was lucky to play with elite talent (Alabama landed six first-round picks this year), but it seems like all of that watching paid off.
The Patriots took Jones at No. 15 overall, which is the first time Bill Belichick has selected a quarterback in the first round.
I would say that's a success story.
“He was able to watch me, (and) Tua go through that, get him some burn here and there, and ultimately when it was his time, he took off with it,” Hurts said. “And now he has a great opportunity for his future."