Tony’s takes: Confidence might be Jalen Milroe’s strongest trait
The scouting report on Jalen Milroe isn’t a secret. Whatever your opinion is on the polarizing quarterback prospect, his list of pros and cons is clear.
Milroe is easily one of the most athletically gifted players in this year’s draft class. The dual-threat quarterback boasts 4.40 speed in the 40-yard dash and pairs that with a rocket right arm capable of firing ropes to receivers downfield — especially from 31 yards on fourth down with the game on the line in the Iron Bowl.
On the other hand, Milroe’s intermediate passing game is a little more hit-or-miss. The jury is still out on whether or not he can improve his accuracy and his ability to diagnose defenses enough to succeed at the next level. Meanwhile, his mechanics seem robotic at times, and his hands were measured under the 9-inch standard for NFL passers.
The combination of those pluses and minuses is causing a bit of a discrepancy when it comes to his stock in this year’s NFL Draft.
“The phrase with him that’s used more than any other, of all the quarterbacks in this draft, ‘That’s the lottery ticket,’” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah told reporters on Friday. “Like if you wanna just take a lottery ticket that you could hit huge on if it all works out and all comes together, he’s got the highest upside of anybody in this draft, and that goes all the way up to Cam Ward to No. 1.”
Jeremiah, a former scout for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, went on to say that Milroe is a “long way” from reaching his potential and that he’d select the quarterback as a second-round pick.
“You get your first pick in the bag. You feel comfortable about it. It’s a double off the wall. And then now, you can stop choking up and you can swing for the fences with Jalen Milroe,” Jeremiah said, explaining his reasoning. “That’s how just about everybody universally views him, so we’ll see where he ends up going.”
Comments don’t seem to faze Milroe. And, to be fair, why should they? He’s always been more of a home run hitter during his time at Alabama anyway. Maybe that’s why he’s betting on himself and attending this week’s NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Milroe is one of 16 potential draftees who will wait it out in the green room to hear their names called in Thursday’s first round. He’ll be there along with former Alabama teammates Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell. Unlike those two, there’s a good chance Milroe makes it through the night without having the opportunity to walk across the stage and bear hug Roger Goodell.
Even Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer alluded to that during an appearance on The Next Round on Friday.
“Just the potential to go in the first round, but I think there’s a reality that might not be,” DeBoer said of Milroe’s draft hopes. “I know he’s planning on going to the draft, one for the experience, but two, he’s got a couple of other teammates that he really wants to support there that week as well. I think that’s a tip of the cap to him there.”
Milroe’s draft appearance Thursday night might end up with him serving in a supporting role. However, I have a hard time believing he’s making the trip not expecting to wake up Friday as the future of an NFL franchise.
Just look at how he pitches himself to NFL teams.
“The most important thing that I have is being a problem solver,” Milroe said in an interview with CBS Sports published earlier this week. “Being cool, calm, collected, being disciplined in my reads, not being one-dimensional. Yes, everyone likes to mention my utilization of my legs, but I believe that I just play one step faster than my opponents when it comes to the passing game and the running game. I know that’s a superpower that other people do not have.”
Sure, Milroe’s self-evaluation is debatable. After all, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Michigan all found the necessary kryptonite to snuff out those powers during wins over Alabama last season. But still, kudos to him for believing in his ability. That’s the kind of confidence I’d want from my team’s future leader.
Milroe’s road to NFL success will involve plenty of patience and development. Regardless of when the Alabama quarterback hears his name called this week, he’s still likely a season or two away from contributing on Sundays.
That said, carving out an NFL career requires plenty of confidence. Fortunately, Milroe has that in spades.
Now it’s just about finding a team that feels the same way.
Andy is a longtime Rivals board member, diehard college football fan, and franchise veteran. He owns multiple franchises and businesses and uses his expertise to help others find their American Dream through a very thorough and FREE consultation process.
Why Alabama’s quarterback battle is fun for Kalen DeBoer
circle avatar
Tony Tsoukalas • TideIllustrated
Managing Editor
@Tony_Tsoukalas
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. Photo | Alabama Athletics
Alabama’s quarterback battle is one of the most talked-about items across college football. While the Crimson Tide named redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson as its leader earlier this week, the competition is still on as redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell look to push him for the starting job.
That’s sure to generate plenty of intrigue throughout the summer. It also maintains a high-pressure situation for Kalen DeBoer, as he looks to make sure he names the right starter this fall.
That being said, the head coach seems to be enjoying the battle.
“It’s fun when you have guys of the quality, both as a player and especially as people that we have with Ty, Austin and Keelon,” DeBoer said during a Friday morning interview with The Next Round. “These guys are fun because they’re going to develop. They’ve got their best football ahead of them for sure, and you’re trying to help them reach that potential. But you also got just really — I don’t want to call them kids — but great people. They’re a pleasure to be around, whether it’s on the football field, in the hallways, cafeteria, popping up in your office, and of course, in the meeting rooms and everything that’s associated with the team.
“It’s fun seeing these guys grow, and it’s a healthy competition because they’re character is elite. And they’ve done a good job. Ty, he’s the one that’s the elder statesman here as far as experience in the program. But the others have done a great job of pushing him.”
While DeBoer is pleased with the talent in his quarterback room, he is less excited about Alabama’s lack of depth at the position. After carrying four scholarship quarterbacks last year, the Tide is down to four this year, as starter Jalen Milroe moved on to the NFL while Dylan Lonergan transferred to Boston College.
“It’s really scary,” DeBoer said. “I’m scared, too. We had four last year. That was a luxury. The year before and the previous two years before that at Washington we had three on scholarship. … I’ve had three more times than I haven’t. Having four you felt really good because I felt really good about the quality of those guys and what they were doing in their development.
“But the defense has never heard stay away from the quarterback more than they have this spring. And that will continue on because we just can’t have that risk, especially with these guys competing. They need to take all their reps. They’ve got get that experience, and everything matters.”
Along with managing his current three-man quarterback room, DeBoer will now look to avoid losing any of his scholarship passers to the transfer portal.
The spring portal window opened on Wednesday and will remain active until April 25. Fortunately for Alabama, neither Mack nor Russell has given any indication of leaving the program despite this week’s news of Simpson leading the race.
“All three of them just keep pushing, keep pressing,” DeBoer told reporters during a speaking engagement in Mobile on Thursday via Al.com. “All three quarterbacks need to continue to get better here this summer.
