Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who led Alabama to a National Championship, was a guest on “Xtra 1063” in Atlanta and spoke about his thoughts on the Crimson Tide’s presumptive starting quarterback for 2020, Mac Jones.
In 2019, Jones was thrusted into the starting role after Tua Tagovailoa fractured his hip and required season-ending surgery. Throughout the season, he accumulated 1,503 yards off of 97 completions for 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Though his stats are impressive, considering the situation, McElroy believes that Alabama is set to face a UGA quarterback in 2020 that could give them some problems.
Jamie Newman transferred from Wake Forest to UGA, and his presence on the field is expected to be a step up from what the Bulldogs are used to, but more importantly, McElroy claims that he’s “way more talented” than Jones.
“I think Newman is way more talented, I don’t even think its really comparable just given Jamie Newman’s upside,” says McElroy. “I mean, guys, we are talking about top-5 pick upside here. He has that kind of upside here. He’s ridiculous.”
Newman threw for 2,868 yards in 2019 from 220 completions on 361 passes fro 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The former Alabama quarterback has high praise for Newman’s game.
“There are some nuances to his game, that he needs to learn,” McElroy says. “But just as far as talent is concerned, there’s not many out there in college football like him. He’s extremely accurate, big arm, needs to learn how to layer the football a little more.”
He makes it clear that he is not trying to put Jones down, as he thinks he is a solid option for the quarterback position at Alabama, but that Newman is just the superior player when put side-by-side.
“Mac Jones is a solid player, as well,” says McElroy. “I thought he performed, like I said, very admirably, but I think part of the reason why everyone will feel really good about him is the fact that he’s surrounded by an all-star team, in a lot of ways. I mean, you got two receivers that are as good as anyone in the country, in Waddle and DeVonta Smith. You have an experienced running back and a decent offensive line coming back, as well.”
At the end of the day, McElroy thinks the situation Jones is in, with the players he is supported by, is superior to that of Newman’s in Athens, GA.
“I would favor the situation Mac Jones is playing in, but if I’m going just strictly on talent, I would absolutely favor Jamie Newman” McElroy says.
You can listen to the full clip below.
"Jamie Newman… We are talking about a Top 5 pick."
– @GregMcElroy @TugCowart @HMason14 #Xtra1063 pic.twitter.com/9HW6BJ3Hsz— Xtra 1063 (@Xtra1063) June 15, 2020
Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Mac Jones and the Alabama Crimson Tide as they get closer to the start of the 2020 college football season!