Why JaMarcus Shephard wanted Julio Jones to talk to Alabama football players

Julio Jones was cautious before attempting to talk to Alabama football's current wide receivers. JaMarcus Shephard put an end to that.

“I just respect him so much,” the Crimson Tide wide receivers coach said Wednesday of one of UA’s all-time greats. “Because he came to me and said, 'Hey coach, you know, I was at the last game … and said, 'Hey, I was about to say something to the guys and talk to them and say certain things to them , and I “I refrained from doing it because I didn't want to step on your toes,” he basically said.”

Shephard joined Alabama this season as wide receivers coach. He followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington when the Tide's head coach succeeded Nick Saban in January.

He quickly allayed Jones' reservations.

“I made it very clear, hey Julio, I played zero snaps in the National Football League,” Shepard said. “OK? Zero. And you're one of the greatest wide receivers any of them have ever known. No, you've earned that because of what you've done here at the University of Alabama and in the National Football League . Actually, you wouldn't be doing me a favor if you don't talk to them.

“So no, you say whatever during the game, after the game, before the game. If you want me to be quiet, Julio, you got it. You do whatever you want to do.”

Jones was one of Saban's first major recruits when he committed to the Crimson Tide before the 2008 season. The Foley native remains one of the top receivers in Alabama history, having helped the team to Saban's first national title in 2009 and being traded to the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

He was named to the 2010 NFL All-Decade Team, led the league in scoring twice, made seven Pro Bowls and was first-team All-Pro in 2015 and 2016.

Jones last played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.

“When you talk about Julio Jones, that’s the cream that rises to the top,” Shephard said. “That’s why I try to get my guys to emulate the things he did, not just at Alabama but in the National Football League.”

Jones wasn't the only former Crimson Tide star in attendance for the game against Georgia, which Alabama won 41-34 to remain undefeated. On Wednesday, Shephard said the presence of former players like Jones and former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram was beneficial in recruiting.

“No other program gives you the opportunity to grow your brand and your work than the University of Alabama, but they are living proof of it,” Shephard said. “Sometimes you can tell young people something, but until they can touch it and feel it, sometimes they don’t know or understand the difference it makes.”

Alabama returns to action Saturday at 3:15 p.m. CT against Vanderbilt in Nashville. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.