Interview: Something Special Brewing with 2017 Kentucky QB Commit Mac Jones

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

At a certain level in the high school ranks, all the kids have talent. The varying levels of talent are the biggest difference makers between a 5-, 4-, or 3-star recruit that can be differentiated based on strength, size, speed, or knowledge of the game. But every now and again, and for whatever reason, a player just jumps off the reel giving confidence to witnessing the possible beginnings of something special. Bolles High School Class of 2017 quarterback Mac Jones appears to have that “X-factor” or that special magic in the pocket making him an early standout among his peers.

Jones’ stats, size, or 40-yard dash is not going to blow anyone away prompting recruiting services to declare him a 5-star recruit. The Jacksonville area talent is 6’2”, 178 pounds, and runs in the neighborhood of 4.7 to 4.8 in the 40-yard dash. His arm strength is there along with his footwork and mechanics promising that when he fills his frame out a little more, the zip he has on the ball now will become finger breakers in the near future.

In his first full year as a starter, Jones completed 65 percent of his passes tossing for 2,150 yards with 25 touchdowns against six picks with four additional scores on the ground leading his team to a 9-3 record. What will never come through on the stat line is the play in between the throws. Jones offers college coaches two looks as a quarterback, from under center and in the shotgun making him a pro-style and spread offense option quarterback at the next level. His play action passing abilities carrying out fakes is beyond his years, pulling safeties and linebackers up or freezing them opening lanes for his receivers in the zone. The art of the passing game from under center has seemingly been lost but Jones has it.

Another variable that can be drilled but not always taught is what to do when a play breaks down. Jones has that gift as well. All can be summed up in a busted play around the 6-yard line converted into a touchdown by Jones during his junior campaign. In the shotgun, Jones gestures for his receiver to go in motion from left to right. The center thinks he’s calling for the snap. The ball comes out knee high then rolls on the turf. Half of the team freezes with the unexpected snap, but Jones rolls to his left and gives the ball and underhand flip covering 6-7 yards over the head of Miami Hurricanes 2016 linebacker commit Mike Pinckney (Raines) into the arms of his tight end for a touchdown. Certainly one of those “no, no, no” plays and with the catch a “yes” play.

College coaches are starting to find out about Jones. Four teams have already offered the Florida talent, West Virginia, East Carolina, Mercer, and Kentucky but more are starting to show interest. The Wildcats saw enough from his sophomore season as a backup and during a summer camp to offer Jones, an offer that was accepted on July 27, 2015.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Jones to go over his junior season, his offseason plans, and received a recruiting news update that included talking about Kentucky and other colleges in pursuit of his verbal commitment.

Interview

Mac, the Bulldogs had a really nice season going 9-3. Overall, how did the season go for you guys especially in your first year as a starter?

“Overall I thought it was a really good season. We did beat some teams we were not expected to beat. We beat Deerfield Beach (33-15) and they beat St. Thomas Aquinas (6-3). That was a big victory for us. We graduated a lot of guys from the 2014 team but I think the young guys did well this year.”

How did your progression on the field go from being a backup who threw for 900 yards with 10 scores as a sophomore to throwing for over 2,100 yards with 25 touchdowns as a junior?

“As a starter, for me the key thing was adjusting to the game, getting a feel for the offense, and becoming a leader. In terms of just playing, everyone knew I could play. When I was a sophomore, the guy a head of me was senior. It was only fair that he got to play during his senior year. Now I’m out there getting to show what I can do every game.”

What was your best game in 2015, against which team, and why was that your best game?

“I had three games with three or four touchdowns, those were some of the exciting games for me. The Deerfield Beach game was a good one. I did not start off well in that game but in the second half we all came out playing strong. I ended up with two touchdowns passing and one rushing. I think we were down by 16 and won by 20.”

I have to ask you about the flip pass for a touchdown on the early snap from about the 5-yard line.

“It was one of those moments were if something bad would have happened I would have been yelled at for doing what I did. That was against Raines, they played in the state championship game.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“I was honorable mention All-State and second team All-County.”

What are your strengths on the field as a quarterback?

“Definitely knowing what I’m going to do before the game. I’m always watching film and making sure I am prepared for every game. I watch as much film as anyone, maybe more than the coaches. I go in with an exact idea of what I want to do and work to implement it into my game. From the physical, I’m always working on my footwork, not just throwing the ball but trying to get my accuracy down.”

Do you think Bolles will have another playoff caliber team in 2016 or be able to make a run to the state championship?

“I think we’ll have a playoff team. You never want to be the team at Bolles that does not get to the playoffs. That’s our motivation. With the talent we have now, I think we could contend for a championship. All of our skill players coming back. We have some open spots on the O-line. If our O-line comes together we’ll be tough to beat.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for an outstanding senior year?

“I’m definitely working on gaining weight. I have a good frame but I need to fill it. I’ve been working out every day doing speed training and weight lifting. I also have plans to do 7×7 coming up. Our team (Pro Impact) was ranked No. 8 in 7×7 rankings. That should be a lot of fun. I’m just working on the craft and trying to get better.”

Do you have any plans to attend any one-day college camps yet?

“I think I will go to a few, especially with all of the changes going on in the coaching ranks. It’s only fair to go back and throw for the new coaches too. I’ll be at Kentucky a lot as well.”

Which college camps are you thinking about?

“I’m thinking about South Carolina, Tennessee, and maybe Florida, I really like their offensive coordinator. Georgia for sure. I think that’s probably it as of now.”

You have offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, Mercer, and East Carolina. Are there any schools showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Texas Tech, Cal, and Vanderbilt have been talking to me. I might talk to Miami, one of my teammates (DB Ahman Ross) is going there, and some of the other ACC schools. A lot of them just reach out to you on Twitter tough to tell the serious ones.”

When you’ve talked to the different college coaches, what type of feedback have you received from them?

“They really like my passing. Every time I go to a camp, they tell me straight up that I was the best passer and they like how my ball rotates. They really like that. They tell me I’m pretty athletic for a pro-style quarterback and I can make stuff happen. Some of them have told me that I have the “it” factor, a lot of them tell me that.”

I believe you. You may have answered this question a million times by now, but how did the commitment to Kentucky come about for you?

“I really like the coach that recruited me (Coach Shannon Dawson) and I really like the school. I like what they are doing with the program. They are putting a lot of money into the football program. All of the new facilities are not up yet but it will be. That was a big factor. I believe I’d have a chance to go there and make something happen. I think Coach (Mark) Stoops is guiding everyone in the right direction at Kentucky. I feel like I can go in and compete early for a starting job with the Wildcats.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I committed after a visit to Coach Dawson. I was the first Class of 2017 guy to commit. They let him go so that affected things a little bit.”

Have you started recruiting guys to join you at Kentucky?

“I did early on. I got four or five people looking at it with me. I recruited the guys heavily. I’m working on others right now. We have the No. 7 or No. 6 class in the nation right now for the 2017 class.”

Can you name any of the guys you are working on publicly?

“One of them is Jedrick Wills. He’s a 5-star from Lexington (Lafayette). He’s the one I recruit the most. I talk to a lot of guys. I ask them how interested they are in Kentucky, things like that.”

I’d talk to Wills a lot too if I were you. Switching gears, is there a college or NFL player you model your game after?

“I’d say Tom Brady. I model my game after him. I’ve been watching him throw since I was little.”

How are things in the classroom?

“I have a 3.8 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I took the ACT and got a 25.”

Do you know what you want to major in yet while in college?

“I’m not sure yet, I speak Chinese so maybe something with that in business.”

Wait a second, how did you learn to speak Chinese?

“My sister took it in middle school. I have been taking it for three years. It seemed like the Chinese were taking over the economy until it crashed the other day so I thought it would be a good skill to have after my playing days were over. Chinese was something I wanted to learn, it’s cool that I can speak with my sister in another language.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Probably my parents (Holly and Gordon). They both have helped me a lot. They’ve helped me through the recruiting process. My mom stays in touch with everything that is going on. She guessed who was going to retire before the year began. She guessed (Steve) Spurrier (South Carolina) was going to retire and Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech). My dad is always helping me with my throwing. We’re always throwing in the backyard.”

Mac, thanks for your time today and good luck with the camps throughout the offseason.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Jacksonville.com; No. 10 Mac Jones alludes a pass rusher.

Photo credit: sportswurlz; No. 10 Mac Jones drops back in the pocket.