As of Wednesday, Alabama’s quarterback situation is still up in the air for its matchup against Texas A&M on Saturday as Bryce Young is still progressing through his shoulder issues.
Young has been able to participate in practice, but Nick Saban shared during the SEC Coaches Teleconference that a decision on whether he will suit up against the Aggies is still up in the air.
That means backup quarterback Jalen Milroe will need to be once again called upon in a significant moment in the Crimson Tide’s season. When filling in for Young against Arkansas Milroe helped lead Alabama to a 49-point outing (with 21 points in the second half) while getting the job done on the ground rushing for 91-yards.
Although there are still some strides he needs to make in the passing game, what he’s shown already has impressed Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher as he prepares for either Young or Milroe to start on Saturday.
“First of all, he’s a tremendous young man, a high-character young man, very intelligent,” Fisher said on Wednesday. “His arm is extremely strong, he can throw the football. Athletic, competitive. Was a tremendous high school player, and he’s doing a great job for them at Alabama.
“To make big plays at big times in that game, come in that game – you don’t ever think you’re replacing the Heisman Trophy winner, and all of the sudden, you come in and you lead them down a couple drives and then the game got scary, 28-23, and he made some big plays that sprung it. The 3rd and 15 and breaks a run down to like the 2 or 3-yard line.
“You see a competitor in the guy, who’s progressing and doing very nice.”
Even in his slim amount of playing time, Milroe has earned the confidence of his teammates who fully support the redshirt freshman.
“As an offense, we fully support everybody who is out there, no matter who it is,” offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor said. “Jalen, we all see him make plays in the game, make plays in practice, we expect him to do the game thing while he’s out there. Everyone on the offense has the utmost confidence in Jalen, all the coaches have the confidence in Jalen.
“That’s what’s so great about Alabama. One great player goes down, another great one comes in.”
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
