Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe broke out big time as a first-year starter replacing No. 1 pick Bryce Young under center for the Crimson Tide.
After being benched earlier in the season by head coach Nick Saban, Milroe led Alabama to an 11-game winning streak and a spot in the College Football Playoff. The team is set to take on Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Even if the Crimson Tide do lose, it will not be Milroe’s final collegiate game.
The young man announced on Thursday that he’ll be returning for his senior season in Tuscaloosa, via ESPN. Milroe will graduate from Alabama on Saturday with a degree in business administration.
“We’re so excited and proud of him for staying focused,” his father, Quentin Milroe said. “He set goals for himself, and I’m amazed at how he has managed it all.”
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Jalen Milroe stats (2023): 65% completion, 2,718 passing yards, 468 rushing yards, 35 total TD, 6 INT
Despite finishing sixth in the Heisman voting this past regular season, Milroe’s lack of experience and game tape would have made him a hard sell early in the 2024 NFL Draft. He had thrown all of 34 career passes in college before taking over starting duties in 2023.
Given that the 2024 NFL Draft class is also loaded at the quarterback position, it makes sense for Milroe to gain another year of experience at the college level before turning pro.
As for the Crimson Tide, it remains to be seen what this means for 2022 five-star recruit Ty Simpson. He saw limited action as a freshman this past season. Milroe has obviously earned the starting gig for the 2024 season. Simpson was the 29th-ranked overall recruit in the Class of 2022 and the No. 4 quarterback nationally.