TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - John Parker Wilson might as well have
wandered around campus this summer with a sign plastered to his
forehead: "Julio's doing fine."
Then, maybe fans would have skipped ahead to ask No. 24
Alabama's quarterback about the team or the season or even what
coach Nick Saban is like. That last question is so 2007.
Now, they want to know how much-hyped freshman receiver Julio
Jones is doing.
"That's the first thing everybody asks," Wilson said. "It was
coach Saban last year, now it's Julio."
The most definitive answer of how Jones is doing came Monday
when the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder landed atop the depth chart released
Monday. The nation's top-rated receiver recruit has had a catch -
at a closed scrimmage, no less - wind up on You Tube and has been
anointed a star without even recording a single college catch.
And equally impressive, his teammates seem OK with that.
"He hasn't come in expecting anything just because of what he
did in high school," Wilson said. "He's shown me and the rest of
the guys that he's gonna earn his position, earn his spot and so
far he's done that every day."
Jones and freshman linebacker Don'ta Hightower both are listed
as starters for Saturday night's game against No. 9 Clemson in
Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Only nine freshmen have started a season
opener for Alabama.
Jones got plenty of attention recently when he made a one-armed
catch along the sideline during a scrimmage, then stiff-armed
All-Southeastern Conference safety Rashad Johnson on his way to a
touchdown. A video of the play made it onto the Internet and has
already drawn more than 24,000 views on You Tube.
Plenty more will get to see him on Saturday night. Since Saban
doesn't allow freshmen to speak to the media, he almost seems to
have taken on near-mythical status with teammates left to do all
the talking. Who's Julio?
"He doesn't let that hype get to him," receiver Mike McCoy
said. "He's real laid-back. He's cool on and off the field. We
hang out all the time. This past weekend we just kicked it
together. He's a humble guy."
Added offensive tackle Andre Smith: "He's a great athlete, a
great guy both on and off the field."
McCoy said the attention is deserved. He even watched film of
Jones from high school and was a believer.
"He's just a different breed," McCoy said. "Some people have
got it some people don't. He's one who has it."
Jones was a Parade and USA Today All-American who was regarded
by most recruiting services as a Top 5 overall recruit after
racking up more than 3,000 yards in his high school career.
Saban said Jones has been consistent from the start of fall camp
and arrived in good shape. He will also return kicks and be a
backup to Javier Arenas on punt returns.
"He's consistently made plays in practice and in both
scrimmages," Saban said. "After the first scrimmage, it was
pretty evident that he was going to have some role as one of the
three receivers that we use quite a bit.
"This last week he certainly solidified his position as the
starter. He and Mike McCoy have been our two best receivers
throughout this camp."
The hype has come because of Jones' high school credentials, but
also because of his timely arrival. The Tide has to replace alltime
leading receiver DJ Hall, along with Keith Brown and Matt Caddell.
Hello, Julio.
The only current Tide player who might be able to relate to this
level of attention out of high school is Smith, regarded as the
nation's top offensive line prospect a few years ago. He said
teammates have told him they thought he would be arrogant, and had
the same fear for Jones.
"They thought he was going to be, but he's a hard worker,"
Smith said. "He's not out boasting about, what (he's) going to do.
He just lets his actions speak louder than his words."
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
