Alabama QB Mac Jones among four Crimson Tide players to declare for 2021 NFL Draft

Alabama red-shirted junior quarterback Mac Jones, a 2020 Heisman Trophy finalist, announced on Thursday that he will forgo his senior season at Tuscaloosa and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones has been joined by wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, defensive back Patrick Surtain II and defensive lineman Christian Barmore as subclasses of Tide who will not return for the 2021 season. It comes just three days after Alabama dominated the Ohio State 52-24 at the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Jones completed 77.4% of his passes (311 of 402) for 4,500 yards and posted a 203.06 passer rating – which all led the nation. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy, voting behind his teammate and winner DeVonta Smith and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He is No. 25 overall and the fifth quarterback in the latest CBS Sports NFL Prospect Rankings.

Waddle suffered an ankle injury on October 24, but returned in the national title game to get a few snaps. He had 1,999 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns, 733 yards on punt return, two punt return touchdowns, 214 punt return yards and one kick return for a touchdown during of his three seasons at Tuscaloosa. He is the 9th player overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Surtain II was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the country’s best defensive back. He made 37 tackles and one interception in 2020, and ended his three-year career with four interceptions and 116 tackles. He is the 13th overall and the second cornerback in the latest CBS Sports hopefuls rankings.

Barmore had five tackles, two for loss and one sack in the national title game against Ohio State, and finished his second season in a red shirt with 9.5 tackles for loss. He is the 27th prospect in the overall standings and the second defensive lineman in the next draft.

There was one notable player who decided to return to Crimson Tide as well. Defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis announced on Twitter that he will give Tuscaloosa another chance in 2021. The deadline for subclasses to declare themselves for the draft is Monday, January 18.