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Julio Jones, the big, physical wide receiver from Alabama, entered the NFL combine as one of the top prospects at his position, but was significantly behind Georgia’s AJ Green on many NFL scouts’ boards. While it’s unlikely that anything has changed, Jones certainly stole the show with incredible workouts for NFL scouts during the Scouting Combine.
Not only is Jones physically imposing at 6’3″ and 220 pounds, but he sets himself apart from the other prospects in terms of pure athletic ability. Jones ran an impressive 40-yard dash, had an impressive vertical and a combine-best broad jump, all while performing on a fractured foot. Although he wasn’t able to perform at Alabama’s Pro Day due to surgery to repair his right foot, Jones’ ability to dazzle NFL scouts on a fractured one was good enough. At this point it is unknown where Jones will call home next season, but I expect him to be taken in the middle of the first round. Julio Jones joined WQXI in Atlanta to talk about how his foot is feeling after having minor surgery, whether he has any idea of where he might be drafted, and if he is going to be at the NFL Draft in-person to shake Roger Goodell’s hand.
How his foot is feeling after having minor surgery:
“It is getting better, but now, I came back to school for rehab, so I am doing that right now.”
Whether he realized how bad his injury was during the combine:
“Like I said, we were going through all of our medical testing and everything, they took an x-ray on my foot and they found a fracture in my foot, a Jones fracture, and then they asked if I was still going to participate, and I told them, ‘Yes’ just because I did not want to rely on Pro Day and put all my eggs in one basket.”
How much he considered going to another school besides Alabama that was known for its passing game:
“It wasn’t at all. It was not under consideration at all because I just wanted to win national championships and be able to play for them year-in and year-out. I feel like Coach Saban had the track record for that and Alabama was a great program for me.”
How disappointing it was to lose to Auburn this year after being ahead by three touchdowns:
“Just because that is our rival and it is Auburn, I mean my hats off to them. They came into Bryant-Denny and whooped us, so I mean, they won. They was the best team that night.”
Whether he has any idea of where he might be drafted:
“Mostly I don’t. I don’t look at the mock drafts or anything else. A lot of people are always telling me, ‘You are going to go here.’ ’You are going to go there’ but you know with the mock drafts and everything, if one goes out of order it messes up the whole draft, so I mean I don’t pay attention to that. I am just trying to get healthy right now.”
What his assessment is of AJ Green vs. his game:
“I don’t know. We are just different guys, you know. I have looked at him run routes. We both run great routes and everything. It is whatever you are looking for. If you like one or the other, you won’t go wrong with us.”
If he is going to be at the NFL Draft in-person to shake Roger Goodell’s hand:
“I have not heard anything about that, but hopefully I will be there to shake the commissioner’s hand… Yes, sir, I want an opportunity to go to New York and be able to experience that.”
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