3. Mac Jones transfers.
As we’ve already covered, Mac Jones will have one more season of eligibility remaining. He’s also graduated from the University of Alabama and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree.
With that degree comes a free pass to transfer anywhere in the country and retain be immediately eligible.
Why would he leave one of the best teams in the nation with arguably the best college football coach in history after a potentially Heisman-winning season?
Well, Bryce Young’s redshirt will likely have already been used, and he’s seen as the future of the program. The minimal quarterback compeition for the 2020 starting job means that Young is patently waiting his turn, which he probably thinks is the 2021 season.
A disgruntled Young, upset over two consecutive seasons of being No. 2 could result in a possible transfer situation, and Nick Saban is then left without a five-star, No. 1 in the nation quarterback to lead his team over the next two or three years.
If Jones does not enter the draft and decides to return to collegiate ball, why not play where sucess is almost guaranteed, but a National Championship is not as clear within the cross hairs.
He’s proven he can play in the SEC. A move to a different team and/or conference could help Jones boost his numbers, thus boosting his draft value.
The aforementioned idea of Jones not wanting to enter a draft class full of talented quarterbacks is similar to that of DeVonta Smith returning for his senior season due to the massive wide receiver class in 2020.
The only difference between Smith and Jones would be job security. Smith was able to return and know he would be one of, if not the top pass catcher. Jones, however, will have the treat of Young taking over the job.