Things weren't always this easy for Mac Jones, who sat three years at Alabama waiting his turn. But the draft's fastest-rising prospect who models his game and style after Tom Brady is about to get the last laugh. A fitting finish for the quarterback nick
www.nfl.com
It was as much of a breakthrough as an offseason workout can be. Still, Jones' transformation into the diabolical Joker, replete with 41 touchdown passes, an NCAA-record 77.4 percent completion rate, and the highest college QBR (96.1) in the 17-year history of the measurement, was forged in a near-maniacal work ethic that bubbled beneath the surface of his more emotional, fun-loving exterior.
It was no joke when Edwards found Jones, just a day after Alabama's national championship win over Georgia his freshman year, breaking down film of the game early in the morning even though both Hurts and Tagovailoa would be returning the next year.
It was no joke when he'd call Hereford to catch balls in the indoor facility late at night, with nobody else around, to work on his game. He could pick the oddest times to log practice time on his own – once, even, right after the team's annual banquet.
Yes, Jones could have fun, but he was at Alabama to win the quarterback job, not spend a career commanding the scout team.
From a preparation standpoint, he took after Tom Brady in all sorts of ways. He's studied Brady's technique right down to the action of his non-throwing hand. Alabama trainer Bobby Feeback always taped Jones' ankles Brady-style – Jones called it "the Brady spat" -- over the top of the cleats. When he threw on his own, he'd often do it in a helmet and shoulder pads, as Brady prefers. UA helmets are only issued for practices and games, but Jones had a workaround – he'd use his high school helmet from Bolles. He even gave some consideration to donning a helmet and shoulder pads for his pro day workouts.
Jones also lifted some preparation tips from the Brady documentary "Tom vs. Time." He sees his own experience at Alabama not unlike Brady's at Michigan – an underappreciated backup behind a more heralded starter.
"At Michigan, they said he wasn't going to play because of Drew Henson. They said he wasn't going to play in the NFL. I like his story more than his play," Jones said. "Obviously his play is great and I model some of my game after him, with his footwork and how he prepares, but he had a chip on his shoulder, the same one I have."
For Saban, Jones' decision to stay at Alabama rather than transferring set up the growth and maturity needed for his breakout season in 2020. Now, with NFL clubs lining up at the top of the draft to select a quarterback, Jones could hear his name called awfully early on April 29.
"(NFL teams) are going to fall in love with a guy who is really a hard worker, a good leader, and the guy is very committed to being the best player he can be," Saban told NFL Network following Jones' first pro day workout. "He's smart, he's going to know the offense inside and out, he makes quick decisions, has great judgment, and he's very accurate with the ball. I think the combination of those things is going to make him a fine player at the next level.
