Former Alabama quarterbacks set for Week 1 matchup

Following news that the New England Patriots have named rookie quarterback Mac Jones the Week One starter, fans are anticipating a reunion.

Jones will make his NFL debut against his former Alabama teammate Tua Tagovailoa, who started ahead of him for two seasons. The game will be aired on CBS at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sept. 12 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Tagovailoa recently heaped praise on his former teammate, wishing him the best to start his NFL career.

“I haven’t texted Mac, I haven’t been able to talk to him since he’s been drafted but I’ve seen them play,” Tagovailoa told reporters last week. “He’s doing pretty good. I hope when he does get his opportunity, he makes the best of it.

He continued: “You can’t wish him too much luck because we’re rivals in the same division. But I wish him the best of luck for sure.”

The Dolphins and Patriots are joined by the Bills and Jets in one of the youngest divisions in football. None of the three teams have a starting quarterback over the age of 25, with fourth-year Bills quarterback Josh Allen now become the oldest by nearly two seasons.

A loaded quarterback room

Not only were Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones teammates in college, they also both came out of the 2017 recruiting class.

Tagovailoa was the more celebrated quarterback, coming in as a five-star recruit before leading Alabama to a national championship in the second half, taking the job from sophomore Jalen Hurts.

Jones came in with less immediate media attention, spending his first two seasons as the third-string quarterback after coming in as a three-star recruit. In his junior season, Jones was promoted to the backup spot when Hurts transferred to Oklahoma for his senior season.

After Tua Tagovailoa went down with a severe hip injury against Mississippi State in 2019, Mac Jones was thrust into the starting role to finish the season. He became the full-time starter that spring when Tagovailoa announced he would enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jones shined in his only full season as the starting quarterback, leading Alabama to a 13-0 record, including a 10-0 run in the SEC, and won the national championship. He finished the season with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions, adding a rushing touchdown.

He became the third quarterback from the 2017 depth chart to make it to the NFL after no Alabama signal callers went from 2015-2019. All three are projected Week One starters for their teams.