ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

An all-points-bulletin has been out for Julio Jones most of this season.

There’s some irony in that, too, because Jones’ popularity soared above rock-star status a long time ago in the state of Alabama. He shows up at shopping malls, and they might as well start setting up the barricades.

	AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
	Julio Jones has only one touchdown in his last 16 games going back to last season.

He’s the ultimate show-stopper, the player every Alabama fan wants to reach out and touch.

All you have to do is utter his first name, and heads turn in Linda Blair-like fashion.

“First they stare, and then they don’t believe it’s me,” Jones says in his own quiet way. “I really don’t go out much anymore.”

He’s been equally scarce in Alabama’s offense, at least the version of Jones that burst onto the scene last season as a freshman and paired with Georgia’s A.J. Green to provide the SEC with one of its hottest debates.

Who was the better receiver: Green or Jones?

A year later, that question has been amended: How is it that Jones has gone missing in the Crimson Tide’s offense?

“He’s a guy who needs to make plays for us,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He’s got a lot of talent and a lot of ability. He’s got great size and speed. He’s a great competitor and has to become a part of the offense for us.”

Sooner rather than later, too.

If Jones can’t help loosen up the LSU defense Saturday with some bigger plays down the field, the Tigers will look like they have 14 or 15 guys up on the line of scrimmage.

“We had a lot of explosive plays and play-action down the field early in the year, and we’ve got to get back to that,” Alabama senior offensive guard Mike Johnson said.

For the most part, teams have been able to take Jones out of the downfield passing equation this season with a heavy dose of double coverage.

Of course, in Alabama’s last three games, there hasn’t been a downfield passing game -- period.

The Crimson Tide have managed just four passing plays of 15 yards or longer in their last three games and only two to wide receivers. Marquis Maze had a 19-yard catch against Tennessee and a 16-yard catch against Ole Miss.

Jones had a season-high seven catches against the Vols, but they were all shorter tosses.

“Different teams have tried to do different things against me, and we’re just trying to take what the defense is giving us,” said Jones, who has 20 catches for 229 yards and one touchdown this season.

Against LSU a year ago, he had seven catches for 128 yards.

If Jones is growing frustrated by his lack of production, he’s done a marvelous job of hiding it.

“I’m happy with what we’re doing as a team,” said Jones, who’s scored just one touchdown in his last 16 games dating back to last season. “I’ll do what they need me to do. If it’s blocking, I’ll block. If it’s catching passes, I’ll catch passes.

“It’s bigger than just me right now. We have other guys who can make plays, and we’re winning. That’s what matters.”

His teammates insist that it’s just a matter of time before he unleashes a breakout game on somebody this season, complete with his patented stiff-arms and tackle-breaking romps to the end zone.

The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Jones hasn’t been completely healthy until now. He missed almost two complete games earlier this season with a bruised knee and wasn’t 100 percent when he came back, Saban said.

During the preseason, Jones was battling an ankle injury and underwent three different surgeries (sports hernia, shoulder and wrist) in the offseason.

“All that’s behind me. I’m healthy now,” said Jones, adding that the bye week was big for him and the entire team. “I’m flying around a lot better and getting in and out of my routes.”

LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson figures to match up with Jones for much of Saturday’s game. Peterson’s one of the few cornerbacks in the league big enough, physical enough and talented enough to handle one-on-one duty against Jones.

Then again, maybe not.

“We just have to get him the ball in the right situation,” said Alabama running back Mark Ingram, who carried the offense during the month of October. “Julio’s explosive and can break out any time and at any moment in the game. I’m always confident that when he gets the ball, he can take it the distance and make a big play. We just have to get him the ball.”

Sounds like Saban has made a similar mandate.

“To me, to have a good passing game, you have to attack the middle of the field,” Saban said. “You have got to give players chances to make plays, and I think we need to do a better job of that.”

Jones isn’t the demanding type. It's not his style. You’re not going to hear any Keyshawn Johnson impersonations or see any Terrell Owens-esque tirades from him about not getting the ball.

You probably won’t see him at the mall, either.

But all those people who love chanting his name (HOOOO-lio) would love it even more if the Crimson Tide can rediscover him in their offense.