Alabama Football: 3 reasons Mac Jones is dominating the SEC in 2020

2. Timing and anticipation throwing the football

Often times, playing the quarterback position is all about timing and anticipation. Certain offensive schemes rely on timing to construct their passing games. For example, when a receiver runs a curl route, the ball has to be on its way to the receiver when he makes his break and turns around to face the quarterback. If it’s not, the chances of the defensive back playing coverage, reacting and recovering to the play increases dramatically. This is a simple example of a timing route.

Jones shows good timing on these types of plays, but the thing that really sticks out on tape is Jones’ ability to throw the ball around the field with anticipation.

The video below clearly demonstrates an anticipation throw.

See how the window is there for Jones to make the throw? It opens when the defensive end tries to work around the blocker (No. 55), and even with the linebacker (No. 42) drifting to the right, he doesn’t make the break on the football until Jones throws it and is just inches away from deflecting the football.

That’s an anticipation throw to its very core.

You can point to his group of NFL-level receivers in Jaylen Waddle (arguably the best receiver talent in the 2021 NFL Draft Class), DeVonta Smith (arguably the second-best receiver talent in the 2021 NFL Draft class) and John Metchie III in an attempt to create an excuse for his success, but he still has to make the throws and keep the defenders from making plays on the ball.

You cannot argue with his timing, anticipation and placement of the football.