MAC JONES 

As New England’s starting QB, Mac Jones was a first-round pick and 15th overall in the 2021 draft, Jones led all NFL rookies with 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, a 67.6 completion percentage, and a 92.5 passer rating. He’s the first quarterback that head coach Bill Belichick has ever drafted in the first round. During preseason of his rookie year, he earned the starting job as the quarterback.

 

Mac Jones was born September 5, 1998, to parents Gordon and Holly Jones. His father played tennis at Florida State University and Flagler College. His love of sports was passed on to Mac and his two siblings, both of whom played collegiate sports. Mac's brother, Will, played soccer at Mercer University, while his sister Sarah Jane played tennis for the College of Charleston. At the age of 5, Jones signed up for his first Pop Warner football team, which spawned a love of football.

 

After originally committing to the University of Kentucky, Jones accepted a scholarship offer from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and signed with the University of Alabama. Jones arrived in Tuscaloosa as an early enrollee but was redshirted his freshman season in 2017.

 

In 2020, Jones took over as Alabama's starting quarterback. In a game against the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs, Jones threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns, helping Alabama win 41–24. On Halloween night, Jones and the Tide shut out Mississippi State 41–0. Jones threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns, all of which went to Devonta Smith. In the Iron Bowl against Auburn, Jones threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns. The following week, Jones threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns against LSU. With the win, the Tide clinched a berth in the 2020 SEC Championship Game against Florida. There, Jones threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns, with Alabama winning 52–46. They were selected to take on Notre Dame in the 2021 Rose Bowl semifinal game, where he would throw four touchdown passes on route to a 31–14 win.

 

Alabama would go on to win the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes 52–24, with Jones throwing for 464 yards and five touchdowns. Jones would finish the season throwing for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He was named the recipient of the Davey O'Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Manning Awards. He finished third for the Heisman Trophy, which went to his teammate DeVonta Smith. He set the NCAA season records for passer rating and completion percentage in 2020. Jones also received Academic All-American of the Year honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America in both Division I football and all Division I sports for the 2020–21 school year.