In August 2020, the Crimson Tide were entering their 14th season under head coach Nick Saban when four-star recruit quarterback Jalen Milroe committed to play collegiate football at Alabama. Later that year, the team would win their sixth national title.
Milroe worked with Saban for three seasons. He was the backup quarterback for Alabama in 2021 and 2022 before being elevated to the starter position in the previous campaign. Milroe received numerous offers from elite programs to leave Alabama through the transfer portal after Saban declared his retirement in January, but he finally chose to remain with the Crimson Tide.
After working with new coach Kalen DeBoer for a few months, Milroe is happy he stayed in Tuscaloosa.
Claudette Montana of Sports Illustrated granted an exclusive interview for the “College Road Trip” series with Milroe, during which he discussed a particular spring ball play that initially exposed him to DeBoer’s coaching style.
Milroe told Montana, “I took a shot downfield and I completed it.” “Everyone was thrilled and joyful. The play was excellent. I was brought aside by Coach DeBoer, who asked, “Is everything okay?”
Milroe did not know how to reply.
“You made a really nice pass there, [DeBoer] said. You’re not up for going to celebrate? I said, “Coach, let’s play next.” You mention having a “1-0 mentality, play next.” He’s saying, “No, uh uh.” You should rejoice over those big plays, please. You did a great job with the play. Honor those theatrical productions.
“There you have it—my brief first impression. Everything has a positive reinforcement component. It always makes me happy to be around him.”
For Milroe to rightfully celebrate, Alabama’s first three games of the 2024 season have featured a number of huge plays. The redshirt junior has passed 35 times out of 52 for 590 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions, good for a 213.4 passer rating, in Alabama’s decisive victories against South Florida, Wisconsin, and Western Kentucky.
But now that we’re into Week 5 of the NCAA football season, the cupcake games are finished. This Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the No. 4 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia teams will rematch the 2023 SEC Championship Game.
Leave a Reply