![[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Vs Texas A M](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/dda61442452f23ed8a4ddc59aed30b9684b541ca745d3b22a8889078e4bdbcd3.jpg "[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Vs Texas A M")
Mac Jones for Alabama football has found his elite trait.
When evaluating quarterbacks, they have to be good at a lot of things. Any obvious flaws can be exploited by opposing defenses. However, they also need something that can separate themselves from the pack. To be an elite quarterback, you need at least one elite trait. Alabama football has seen elite traits from their quarterbacks in the past.
Tua Tagovailoa had great touch as a passer. Jalen Hurts was a powerful runner. Jake Coker’s trait was his arm talent. Blake Sims’ best trait was his ability to scramble. A.J. McCarron was an elite leader, and the list goes on. In the meantime, Mac Jones has developed his elite trait. We were worried about how short his leash would be this year, but his development in this one aspect has given him free rein for the whole year.
So, what is his elite trait? It’s his accuracy. In this short sample size, Mac Jones has the second-highest completion percentage in college football. I’m not going to do a lot of comparisons to former Alabama football greats, but he has been more accurate than Tua so far in 2020.
The reason for this is because of his decision-making. He knows when to take risks down the field, and he knows when he needs to find his check-down target. The beauty with his accuracy is the fact that he isn’t always taking the easy target. If he never threw the ball down the field, it would be a lot easier to have a high completion percentage. However, he is doing so while throwing the ball deep down the field to all of his targets. He shows his ability to go through progressions, read the defense and find the best option.
Does it help when you’re throwing to Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith? Absolutely. However, Mac Jones still throws an accurate ball. He’s also doing so against SEC defenses, so that should add to his credit.
Another quality trait that Mac Jones has displayed for Alabama football is his poise. The fact that be bounced back from an interception on his first throw against Georgia shows that nothing rattles him. When he’s being evaluated as an NFL Draft prospect one day, that will add to his value.
All in all, Mac is great at a lot of things. He’s excellent at a few. His one truly elite trait is his accuracy, and that will help both him and the Crimson Tide in the 2020 college football season.