Bolles has produced many great athletes through all of their sports. One of the most successful names is Mac Jones. Jones played all four years of high school football at Bolles before continuing his collegiate career at University of Alabama.
Jones played for 3 years at Alabama under the legendary head coach Nick Saban. One of his years included a 2020 campaign in which he led the Alabama squad to a National Championship Victory. In that 2020 season, Jones threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.
After his junior season, Jones declared for the NFL Draft in which he was selected 15th overall by the New England Patriots. Jones had big shoes to fill with the absence of legend Tom Brady. In his rookie season, it seemed that New England had found their quarterback of the future.
In his rookie season, Jones led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance. Jones threw for 3,801 yards and 22 in the regular season along with 232 yards and 2 touchdowns in his lone playoff appearance against the Buffalo Bills. This early success landed Jones in the Pro Bowl and he was a runner up for 2021 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
After three seasons up north with the New England Patriots, Mac Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 13, 202: the first day of the New League Year in the NFL.
Jones is excited about his fresh start in his hometown. “I definitely loved growing up here and it’s a kid’s dream to be able to play for an NFL team and specifically their hometown team,” he said, “so I’m excited to learn from the QBs and everybody and get into a room and just help however I can.”
Jones has had several great coaches at all three stages of his football career: Corky Rogers (Bolles coach), Nick Saban (U of A), and Bill Belichick (NFL) and he is excited to work with his new coach Doug Peterson. “Coach Peterson, I’ve heard great things about him, obviously played the position… Coach Taylor and Coach McCoy and everybody so it’s good to talk with everybody and learn their stories a little bit,” he said.
“I’m just excited to work with a very good offensive knowledge coaching staff who knows a lot about quarterback play. It’s pretty cool to have a coach that’s like been there, done that before and been in that position.”
After his 2023 campaign, Jones hoped to get his career back on track and is confident in his ability to do so. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to get the train back on the tracks and I feel like I played good football in the NFL, but obviously I need to do a lot of improvement and this is going to be a great spot for me with a great coaching staff and a great quarterback to learn from in Trevor.”
Jones showed a glimpse of what his future could be when he played in his first three preseason games with the Jaguars. He threw for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns. Next time you are at a Jaguars game, keep an eye out for former Bolles quarterback Mac Jones.
