Mac Jones started two playoff games (plus the SEC Championship) for the University of Alabama last season. Those were big games. High stakes. Lots of pressure. Lots of hype. There was also a top-five regular season clash with Georgia in 2020, and two starts in the annual Iron Bowl rivalry game with Auburn.
As college spotlights go, this was about as bright as the lights get.
Perhaps that helps on Sunday, when the rookie makes his fourth NFL start when his New England Patriots host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what just happens to be the most hyped regular season game … ever?