Alabama’s new offensive coordinator has a unique opportunity in spring football and next season.
Tommy Rees, 30, gets the chance to develop Jalen Milroe into a complete quarterback.
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Milroe, a former four-star, came to the Crimson Tide in its 2021 recruiting class from Texas. He is an incredibly gifted athlete, especially with what Tide fans saw versus Arkansas last season. The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder totaled eight touchdowns in 2022, including five scoring tosses. Milroe excites Alabama supporters with his athleticism, but they want to know if can he take the next step as a passer. Rees has taken signal-callers with less talent than Milroe and made them more than adequate passers.
Ian Book, a former three-star, was decently athletic but Rees made him a strong passer. He recorded 17 rushing touchdowns but 72 passing touchdowns in his career. Jack Coan transferred to Notre Dame from Indiana in 2021. Rees guided him to his best season as a college quarterback with 25 touchdown passes. Drew Pyne accounted for 22 touchdown passes in the 2022 season.
Rees’ run-pass option, heavy run game, and play-action scheme will greatly help Milroe.
Milroe’s athleticism should thrive under Rees, but Rees will improve Milroe’s passing mechanics. He does not need to be the second coming of Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa, but Milroe has to make opponents respect his ability to distribute the ball.
If Rees can make minor tweaks to Milroe’s game, he could become the best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
