Mac Jones explains why it’s actually hard to hit wide-open receivers
By Jake Rill
Published:
Mac Jones is making nearly all his throws this season, and he’s making it look easy. It probably helps that Alabama has a talented receiving corps, but the Crimson Tide redshirt junior quarterback has also shown off his arm while emerging as a top contender for the Heisman Trophy.
While Jones has completed some throws that have looked difficult, it may be the easier ones that posed more of a challenge to him. During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday, Jones explained why it can be “hard to hit wide-open receivers,” even though it may not always look like it.
“I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s the hardest catch to make, for sure, because you know you’re wide open, you get a little more antsy and things like that,” Jones said on the show. “Honestly, when someone’s getting covered, it’s more of a challenge to put it in the right spot. But at the same time, there’s all that field that you can miss and it’s just one guy you’re looking at, so there is a good amount of margin for error, like popular to what people would probably think.”
No matter whether the throws have been easy or hard, Jones has produced at a high level in 2020. He’s led Alabama to a 9-0 start by passing for 3,113 yards, 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. Jones has thrown at least four touchdowns in a game five times, including each of the past two weeks against Auburn and LSU.
Jones has already helped the Crimson Tide clinch the SEC West and secure their spot in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19. And the throws he has to make in that game will likely be some of the most important of his career thus far, so the pressure will certainly be on.
Before facing Florida for the SEC title, though, Alabama still has a matchup at Arkansas to play. The Crimson Tide and Razorbacks are set to kick off at noon ET on Saturday on ESPN.
"It is hard to hit wide open receivers." –@MacJones_10 explains that contrary to popular belief it can be difficult to throw to an open receiver. @AlabamaFTBL
For Mac's full appearance: https://t.co/hvHedTjYe2 pic.twitter.com/yA7f1eqGIx
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) December 8, 2020
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
