Former UK quarterback commit Mac Jones having great season for Alabama

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Mac Jones (SEC Photo)

I can remember a time I was certain Mac Jones was going to be the next Kentucky quarterback.
He was a relatively unknown quarterback in Jacksonville, Fla. I am pretty sure he was only a three-star recruit but Kentucky offered early and got a commitment from Jones. But when Kentucky plays at Alabama Saturday, Jones will be the starting quarterback for No. 1 Alabama and a player who has to be considered in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Jones shocked many when he flipped his commitment from Kentucky to Alabama, which had a player named Tua Tagovailoa in the same signing class. Jones was barely in the top 20 nationally of pro-style quarterbacks and most thought he would never play for the Crimson Tide.

Remember Kentucky was the first Power-5 team to offer Jones a scholarship. He seemed set on UK and was a personable young man who was always available to the media. Then Kentucky fired offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, Jones’ main recruiter, and then Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin started recruiting Jones.

Jones has passed for 2,196 yards and 16 touchdowns through six games this season and leads an offense that Kentucky coach Mark Stoops says is as good as any he’s seen in a long time.

“We did recognize Mac early on in the process,” Stoops said Monday at his weekly press conference. “Coach (Darin) Hinshaw and all of us watched him early. We were impressed. We felt like there was a bright future for him and he’s certainly proved us right.”

Alabama is 6-0 and Jones will be making his 10th start since taking over for an injured Tagovailoa in 2019. Jones is also being projected as a potential first-round NFL draft pick.

“We wish he was here, but we still really love Mac and his family,” Stoops said. “Great young man. It’s really good to see him doing so well and playing at such a high level. He’s been so accurate. Wish he was here, but happy for Mac.”

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