Barrett Jones

Rarely does a technically-refined offensive lineman earn top billing at a university with such tradition of producing flashy athletes at virtually every position, but in the case of do-everything Jones, the honor is well deserved. Since redshirting for the Tide in 2008, Jones has simply started 49 of the past 53 games, earning action at right guard (25 starts), center (14) left tackle (10). Despite earning first-team All-SEC honors (and third-team All-American accolades by the Associated Press) in 2010 while at right guard, Jones was asked to move to the all-important blind-side tackle position in 2011 and starred there. He earned the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (SEC's top offensive lineman) and was a consensus All-American. Coach Nick Saban moved his top lineman once again in 2012; this time to the center position, where the same intelligence, quickness, balance and surprising anchor Jones demonstrated at guard and tackle translated well. Jones started all 14 games of Alabama's run to its third national title in fourth year. He was again a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC performer. He closed out his career with a strong performance against Notre Dame despite playing with torn ligaments in his left foot suffered during the SEC Championship Game. Jones also won the 2012 William V. Campbell Trophy recognizing the "absolute best scholar-athlete" in the nation. He was the first Crimson Tide player to capture the award. "I want to thank everyone from Alabama who helped make this possible for me," Jones said while accepting the award. "I want to thank Coach (Mal) Moore, Coach Saban and all of my teammates. I think many people know how good of a football coach he (Saban) is, but what he doesn't get enough credit for is how good of a job he does developing young men. "I also want to thank my parents and my family. I am very close to my parents. There is no way I would be up here today without them. When I left for college my dad told me something that I will never forget, he said "Barrett never forget who you are and whose you are." I have tried to live up to that my whole life. He has taught me many good principles about how to work hard, how to help others and how to give back. Whether at tackle, guard or center, Jones has demonstrated that he's dependable against the elite competition in college football. Head coach Nick Saban has said on many occasions that Jones is one of the top players he's ever been around and has compared the 2011 Outland Trophy (nation's top interior lineman) to Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. Considering his versatility and dependability (not to mention his coach's impressive recommendation), Jones quietly ranks among the safest prospects in the draft.

strengths

Jones is typically characterized as a try-hard player who gets by with excellent fundamentals, and it is true that he uses his hands and feet very well to consistently defeat his opponent. However, while he isn't likely to cause anyone to compare his raw athleticism to former first round offensive tackles Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys, No. 9, 2011) or Joe Staley (San Francisco 49ers, No. 28, 2007), Jones is smooth and efficient when easing back at the snap in pass protection or getting to the second level. He latches on and keeps his feet moving on contact, rarely allowing his opponent to make the play even if he's relatively close to the ballcarrier.

compares to

Bruce Matthews, OL, ex-Oilers/Titan -- Alabama coach Nick Saban has publicly compared Jones to the Hall of Famer Matthews, who saw action at all five positions during his 19 years with the Houston Oilers (and Tennessee Titans), and whom Saban saw up close when coaching defensive backs in Houston from 1988-1989.

weaknesses

Doesn't blow defenders off the ball with pure strength. Not a flashy athlete and may struggle to excel at the NFL level.

2012: Suffered torn ligaments in his left foot during the SEC Championship Game. Returned to practice the day before the BCS title game and played against Notre Dame, stating afterward that he would need surgery. "Our trainer did a great job," he said during practice leading up to the title game. "First of all, I did a lot of swimming, which was kind of cool. It's hard. You guys ever swim before? It's exhausting. We had this really cool treadmill, called the Ultra G treadmill. It's a treadmill that kind of allows you to run on just part of your body weight. It's pretty neat. It's like your whole bottom is in a vacuum. You've got to look it up. It's hard to explain. But we had several different ways I was able to stay in shape, so I feel pretty good." 2010: Missed the last two games of the regular season against Georgia State and Auburn because of a high ankle sprain.

He was a 2007 U.S. Army All-American

listed as the No. 20 offensive lineman nationally by SuperPrep and the No. 1 player in Tennessee

listed on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100

played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American game on Jan. 5, 2008 at the Alamodome in San Antonio

The Mobile Press-Register's Super 120 Team (No. 15)

top-rated football player in the state of Tennessee by Rivals.com

top-rated center by Rivals.com

also ranked 60th on Rivals.com Top 100 list. Ranked the No. 53 overall player in the country by Sports Illustrated/Takkle.com

a third-team EA Sports All-American

four-star offensive lineman by Rivals.com and Scout.com

rated as the 18th-best offensive lineman nationally by Scout.com

2007 finalist for Division II AA Mr. Football in Tennessee

named first-team All-State by The Nashville Tennessean and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association

named 2007 West Tennessee Coaches Association All-Region team.

Father, Rex, played basketball at Alabama under head coach Wimp Sanderson from 1982-84.