When Barrett Jones was recruited to play football at The University of Alabama it was a no-brainer that he would be at Tuscaloosa. Jones’ father Rex played basketball for The Alabama Crimson Tide from 1982 to 1984. Jones had offers from other Southeastern Conference football teams such as The Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers, and The Vanderbilt Commodores. Jones was a member of The Crimson Tide’s recruiting class of 2008 that has produced current National Football League players such as Julio Jones, Courtney Upshaw, and Mark Barron. Now Jones’ perseverance and ability to be a team player have put him in a position to leave Tuscaloosa as one of the greatest winners in school history. Jones sat out 2008 as a redshirt, but he has been a starter on the offensive line ever since.
Alabama won The Bowl Championship Series National Championship in 2009 and 2011. With three weeks remaining in the 2012 season, The Crimson Tide are the top-ranked team in The BCS standings with their eyes set on Miami, Florida and playing in The BCS Championship Game. In 2011, Jones took home The Wuerffel Trophy as the top player in college football “who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.” The award was named after former Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel. Last season Jones also won The Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman. Jones was also a first-team All-SEC as well as an All-American. Jones has played tackle, guard, and center during his time at Alabama, but he has played each position well. In 2009 Jones played right guard. Last season he switched to left tackle because of team needs while he is playing the center position in this his senior season. Jones’ work at center has put him in position to be the first two-time winner of The Outland Trophy since Nebraska Cornhuskers center Dave Rimington achieved the feat in 1981 and again in 1982. Jones is also in the running to win The Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation’s top center and it is named after Dave Rimington.
With Jones in the starting lineup, Alabama’s record in 45-4. In Jones four years with The Tide, the team has finished in the top-25 in rushing in the nation twice. This season Alabama is currently 23rd in the nation in rushing as they are averaging 209 yards per game. Alabama’s rushing totals are second in The SEC as they only trail The Texas A&M Aggies. Jones has helped to open running lanes from former Crimson Tide running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson who were both first-round picks in The NFL Draft. Current Alabama running backs T.J Yeldon and Eddie Lacy both have the potential to finish this season with 1,000 yards rushing as Jones is once again helping to lead the way.
According to multiple sites including CBSSports.com, Jones is the top offensive line prospect for The 2013 NFL Draft. Jones has done it some of the best defensive lineman in America such as former LSU Tigers defensive lineman Michael Brockers and former Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Fletcher Cox. Brockers of The St. Louis Rams and Cox of The Philadelphia Eagles were both first-round picks in The 2012 NFL Draft and they both came up short against Jones and The Tide. At 6’5″, 304 lbs., Jones will more than likely find a home in The NFL at the guard position, but you can never rule out shifting him to either tackle spot or the center position as his versatility will go a long way in The NFL. It is still too early to compare Jones to Hall of Fame offensive lineman John Hannah. Before playing with The New England Patriots for 13 seasons, Hannah was an outstanding guard at Alabama from 1970 to 1972. In 1981, Sports Illustrated Magazine dubbed Hannah as ” The Best Offensive Lineman of All Time”. Those are mighty big shoes to fill for Jones, but in the interim he has made a name for himself as one of the best offensive lineman that college football has seen in this era.
Yeah, Barrett Jones is a key cog in The Alabama machine under head coach Nick Saban.
I have a feeling I’m going to be hearing a lot cheering….ROLL TIDE!