Jones shows he’s more than backup

At best, Mac Jones was supposed to be a placeholder. Top prospect Bryce Young was the quarterback everyone around Alabama was excited about.

Jones was merely the former backup few people had expectations for. As it turned out, he shocked everyone, leading the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and national championship.

“It just goes to show that anything is possible,” Jones said after No. 1 Alabama’s 52-24 thumping of third-seeded Ohio State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. “When you put your mind to something, believe in your teammates and coaches, you can get things done.”

Jones finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and capped a memorable junior year by completing 36 of 45 passes for 464 yards and five touchdowns. He threw 41 touchdown passes and just four interceptions this season, and was the winner of the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback. As a freshman redshirting, Jones got to see a championship up close and now he experienced one by playing.

➤ Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle played in the national championship game less than three months after fracturing his ankle. Waddle didn’t have a huge role, catching three passes for 34 yards, but he was able to contribute.

He wasn’t the only injured Alabama player to get in the game, though. Center Landon Dickerson, who tore his ACL in the SEC championship game just over two weeks ago, got to snap the ball in the final seconds when the Crimson Tide took a knee. After the final whistle, Dickerson carried coach Nick Saban around the field during the celebration.

➤ Ohio State played without starting defensive end Tyreke Smith, starting defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and starting kicker Blake Haubeil. Co-starting running back Master Teague was active after missing the playoff semifinal, and scored two touchdowns in the first half. He was needed after running back Trey Sermon suffered a collarbone injury on the first play.