TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — A Terrell Owens he isn’t. Alabama receiver Julio Jones is all about big plays, not sound bites.

“This is just how I am,” he said Sunday at the Crimson Tide’s media day. “This is me all day every day. I’m not going to change for anybody. This is what you get.”

Jones was off-limits for media interviews as a freshman under coach Nick Saban’s policy. On Sunday, he was all business, unsmiling and yielding little insight into Alabama’s most prominent player.

He earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference and freshman of the year honors after leading a run-oriented offense with 58 catches for 924 yards. Both were school records for a freshman.

“That’s a special kid,” receiver Mike McCoy said. “He’s been working his tail off, maybe harder than last year. He might give a little bit more this year.”

Jones brushed off talk of his health — a sports hernia against Georgia and wrist and shoulder issues later in the season, all requiring offseason surgery.

“It wasn’t that difficult,” said Jones, who started every game. “If you’re going to let a little small thing like that stop you, anything can stop you. I just went out there and did what I had to do.”

His coach was much more complimentary, particularly how the 6-foot-4, 211-pounder toughed it out against LSU. Jones caught seven passes for 128 yards, including a 24-yarder over a defender to set up the winning touchdown in overtime.

“He demonstrated tremendous physical and mental toughness to overcome those things,” Saban said. “The way he competed and played in the LSU game is unbelievable. It would be nice to have a lot of young players sort of watch some of that and see that effort and see that toughness.”

Last year, Jones was a popular figure even before stepping onto the field. A tackle-breaking touchdown during a preseason scrimmage was a hit on YouTube. He won a seat on the Student Government Association’s senate through write-in votes without campaigning. He even received nine votes for SGA president before graduating from high school.

“You can’t be thinking about the hype and stuff like that,” he said. “You’ve just got to go out there and play your game and do what you need to do. I have no pressure on me at all because I have teammates and stuff. We try to bond and try to become as one. It’s not just on me, it’s on everybody.”

If there’s one area Jones was willing to trumpet, it’s his dedication.

“I work extremely hard,” he said. “That’s what separates a lot of people, is the work ethic that they have.”

Jones was not the only one Sunday with an unaccustomed moment in the spotlight. Media day is the one time a year when Saban allows offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to speak to reporters, except at bowl-mandated sessions.

Smart, who was co-defensive coordinator with Kevin Steele — now at Clemson — is in his first season in full charge of the defense. He also has two new assistants, James Willis and Sal Sunseri, on a defense that was among the nation’s top 10 despite struggling in the final two games against Florida and Utah.

“We hope that we’ve addressed some of those things,” Smart said. “All you can do is practice it and attack it the best you can and realize that a lot of teams may like to copycat that.”

McElwain is concentrating on finding a replacement for left tackle Andre Smith, grooming new quarterback Greg McElroy and landing some reliable receivers behind Jones. He shied away from mentioning specific candidates for the open spots.

“Everybody wants to hear a name,” he said. “This isn’t fantasy football. It’s the Alabama Crimson Tide.”

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