DALLAS — Jalen Milroe was down to three suits and still a little worried about whether he selected the right fit for SEC Media Days on Wednesday.
A relatively tiny decision made Wednesday morning stands out as a big example of how things have changed in one year for the Alabama starting quarterback.
“It came down to the shoes. You got to start with the shoes when you start your outfit off so I got the black Pradas on and then you build up from there,” Milroe said of his selection of attire at the Omni Hotel on the third day of the SEC media gathering.
Milroe is back as the starter for Alabama, a position that was contested into fall camp and the first two weeks of the 2023 regular season under now-retired head coach Nick Saban. Milroe turned heads by the end of the season, notably in the 27-24 SEC Championship game win that nudged Alabama into a somewhat unexpected return to the four-team College Football Playoff.
Alabama ended the season with a 27-20 overtime loss to Michigan at the Rose Bowl in a CFP semifinal game that Milroe isn’t ready to let go.
“We were blessed and fortunate to be in the college playoffs, one game away. What burn do you need more than being that close to the championship?” Milroe said of offensive lineman Tyler Booker’s reference earlier in day to being driven by that defeat.
“For us, we’re passionate about each other and also passionate about achieving short-term goals and long-term goals in this process and we can all reflect from it. We shared the same experience from Coach (Kalen) DeBoer with failing to achieve a national championship so now it’s about refocusing and focusing on our spring 2024 football season.”
A Texan who delivered thoughtful answers with a posture of modesty on Wednesday, Milroe quickly grew into a monster for Alabama last season. He focused on growth as a passer in the spring to be better suited for DeBoer’s wide-open passing attack.
He shared the field with multiple SEC quarterbacks at the Manning Passing Academy last month and Missouri’s Brady Cook said everything about Milroe is impressive.
“You could just tell talking to him immediately, such a cool personality. He’s always smiling. Vibrant. Just the way he interacts with people. He’s not too big for anyone. He’s not too cool for anyone. So I really appreciate his character,” Cook said.
Milroe returned from being benched against South Florida to account for 27 total touchdowns in the final 10 games. Booker said there’s a new Milroe mode being unlocked in the collaboration with DeBoer, regarded as an innovate offensive mind and quarterback whisperer.
“He wants to do what Jalen can do well, build on that, and the other playmakers on offense as well,” Booker said. “Letting Jalen play his game is the best thing that we can do. Toward the end of the year, when Jalen started playing his game and felt more comfortable running, that’s when he was at his best.”
Not everyone stands in the Milroe fanclub at Alabama, where the backup quarterback constantly stands out as a fan favorite. Milroe doesn’t worry about changing minds or opinions, but feeds off of any remaining doubters while staying locked in on the big picture.
“I think it’s the same (focus) — being the best version of myself, being the best quarterback in the country, learning, growing as a player, seeking all information from my coaching staff, being a student of the game. I think it’s all about going 1-0,” he said. “It’s all about getting better and leaning on my brothers.”
DeBoer, who replaced Saban upon the legend’s retirement in January, knew a lot about Milroe as a quarterback and physical specimen before he entered the trenches with him. After six months together, the things that stand out about the quarterback are his positive leadership and commitment and drive to improve.
“There’s nobody that’s going to beat him into the football facility. He’s there at 4:30-5 a.m. for sure. I know there’s guys that have tried to beat him into the facility and they can’t,” DeBoer said.
–Field Level Media