Alabama football releases depth chart: Mac Jones wins quarterback job

The first Alabama football depth chart of the season is out and it’s Mac Jones who will be the Tide’s starting quarterback to begin the season vs. Missouri.

The battle to replace Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as the main man on offense at Alabama was a two-horse race between Mac Jones, the accurate pocket passer with years of experience, and Bryce Young, the five-star recruit with an incredibly high ceiling. Nick Saban opted for the more veteran option, relegating Young to backup duty to start 2020.

“Mac has had a really good camp, really played well in the last scrimmage, Saban said, via Charlie Potter of BamaOnline. “He’s done a really good job of taking on a leadership role. … We’re pleased with his development.”

Alabama released their first depth chart of the season, and it lists Jones as the starting quarterback with Young as the backup. Paul Tyson, the great-grandson of Alabama immortal Bear Bryant, is the third-string quarterback after Taulia Tagovailoa transferred to Maryland.

Mac Jones impressed in his brief stint as the starter in 2019

Jones didn’t get a ton of hype as a recruit given his three-star rating, but he did end up earning himself a spot at Alabama despite interest from Texas A&M and Kentucky. sput up solid numbers last year in his time as the starter, throwing for 1,503 yards and 14 touchdowns against just three interceptions. While Jones did lose in the Iron Bowl against Auburn, he put up 45 points against one of the country’s best defenses.

Jones’ coming out party came in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. Despite playing a defense full of NFL players, Jones completed 16 of his 25 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns. He might not have the accuracy of Tagovailoa or the athletic ability of Young, but Jones can win games and produce at a high level against elite competition.

Young’s time will come, but Saban opting for someone who has been with the team for years and has a proven record of success in such an unusual offseason and regular season makes all the sense in the world. With Jones at the helm, Bama could be in line for another SEC West title if Jones sustains his 2019 level of play.

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