[Bamabeachlivin]

NAME: Julio Jones
POSITION: Wide receiver
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6-4, 215
HOMETOWN/SCHOOL: Foley/Foley HS
SENIOR YEAR STATS: 68 receptions for 1,179 yards (17.3 average) and 16 touchdowns.
ESPN SCOUTS INC. GRADE/POSITION RANK: 95 (No. 2 in ESPN 150, No. 1 WR)

LIKELIHOOD TO START IN 2008 (SCALE OF 1 TO 10): 7
LIKELIHOOD TO PLAY IN 2008 (SCALE OF 1 TO 10): 10

THE SKINNY
It would be a major upset if Jones isn't contributing from Day 1 and starting by the beginning of October at the latest. He's the most talented receiver to come into the program since David Palmer in 1991, and maybe ever. Alabama lost its three of its top four receivers from 2007, and two of the other top returnees are injury prone. It shouldn't be long before Jones, Alabama's Mr. Football as a senior and a member of virtually every national All-America team, begins to wow coaches and teammates on the practice field. Doing so to fans and the opposition on Saturday's shouldn't be far behind.

ESPN SCOUTS INC. EVALUATION
This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster. He has good speed and displays excellent foot quickness for a big receiver. He is a vertical threat because of his size and reaches top speed in a hurry for his size. He can outjump anybody on the field because of his size and leaping ability. He is one of the best in this class in terms of adjusting his angle downfield on deep throws. Body control is outstanding. He is a smooth athlete that shows excellent concentration to make plays in a crowd. He will go over the middle, and after the catch he is the most difficult receiver to tackle that we have seen. He flashes elusiveness with the ball in his hands and shows a mean stiff arm in the open field. He is an excellent route runner. He will use his size and strength to separate from tight man coverage. He shows very good quickness getting out of his breaks. For a big receiver, he is smooth and fluid and does not waste motion on routes or double moves. He is a devastating physical blocker with a massive wingspan and will wall off and shield defenders from getting to the ball. He is excellent in the red zone. He puts a lot of pressure on a secondary down inside the 10-yard line because of his ability to make plays on jump-ball throws in the corner of the end zone. The only true issue that has manifested itself with Jones is that he does struggle to get off press coverage consistently. This is also something that just about every player at this stage struggles with. This player has very few weaknesses in terms of physical tools and in our opinion could make an impact right away. Jones may be the most sought after receiver since Class of '06 WR Percy Harvin.
Story

[Lefty Noob]

Most sought after since Harvin, eh? Now let's see if he can play like Harvin in the NCAA.

[Stoney]

Lefty I saw the 7 on 7s and Julio was like a man among boys. He only dropped one pass the whole time and that was due to JPW throwing it low and behind him and yet Julio almost made that catch. Laugh now but the kid can possibly be considered for the Heisman as a true freshman. His new nickname is "Gamebreaker" and the title appears to be well deserved.

[crimsonlass]

Ladies and gentlemen! The next superstar at the University of Alabama! Julio Jones!

[Stoney]

Originally Posted by crimsonlass

Ladies and gentlemen! The next superstar at the University of Alabama! Julio Jones!

What happpened to being cautiously optimistic and not letting the cat out of the bag? We want to sneak up on these teams not go trumpeting our secret weapon. Sheesh!

[crimsonlass]

hahahaha! They will know soon enough! (most of them know already if they follow recruiting!)

[Stoney]

Yeah but I got a little bet going on here and I want to see how many I can get on board.

[crimsonlass]

What kind of bet?

[Stoney]

Go look on the forum for the 2008 Alabama bet.

[crimsonlass]

Ok. I'll do it!

[Stoney]

It is the forum right above this thread.