Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe started catching a lot of attention after he finished the 2023 season hot enough to become a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. Still, he’s much more than that now.
To say he picked up where he left off is an understatement, as Milroe has been dominant both through the air and on the ground this year, showing large improvement as a passer.
Projecting as a true dual-threat now, Milroe’s stat line to this point of the season is strongly indicative of just that. The Alabama signal-caller has completed 72.9% of his passes for 964 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception through the air.
On the ground, Milroe totals 273 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 52 carries.
His statement game came against then-No. 2-ranked Georgia last week in Tuscaloosa, as Milroe powered the way to what looked like would be a blowout before what would have been a legendary comeback from Georgia ensued, falling just short on the Bulldogs’ end.
Milroe connected on some 81.8% of his passing attempts, throwing for 374 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the 41-34 Alabama victory. He also rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
He looks like a truly complete quarterback in a way few others are rivaling so far in the upcoming draft class. Head coach Kalen DeBoer recently spoke to Milroe’s progress and made him this good.
“He’s got the tools. He can spin it. He’s an accurate passer. He works hard. He’s got a lot of those tangibles, intangibles,” DeBoer said of Milroe. “But I think what he’s doing a good job of is just staying disciplined to what we’re asking him to do. Not trying to go above and beyond, when we say, ‘You need to read this or go through this progression,’ he’s done a really good job. I think that’s one area where I’ve seen him improve. I’ve told him that.
“His eyes are in the right spot 99% of the time, and that gets you going down the right path. Now, it’s just a matter of letting the tools that you have, that talent that you have, take over. He’s staying within himself, and he’s trusting the guys around him. The offensive line has done a good job, and I think he’s feeling comfortable in the pocket.”
There’s still room for improvement, though, the way DeBoer sees it.
“Doesn’t mean it’s perfect. There are some times he had to make some throws and stuff real quickly on Saturday, but that trust around you helps bring out the best in you, as well.”
The road to Milroe becoming a strong first-round draft pick will continue as Alabama faces the Vanderbilt Commodores at 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee.
