Bill O’Brien and Tommy Rees did not have a free-flowing offense as play callers at the University of Alabama.
Both assisted the Crimson Tide to Southeastern Conference Championships as coordinators, but neither had an offense that provided balance, excitement, and catered to the strengths of Jalen Milroe. Milroe, a rising junior quarterback, stated O’Brien thought he should not play quarterback.
Rees helped Milroe achieve success; however, the Tide still did not have the consistent balance it needed under Rees. The hire of Kalen DeBoer and addition of Ryan Grubb could transform Milroe into a Heisman Trophy winner and an NFL Draft pick. Jalen Hurts, a native Texan, is the quarterback Milroe patterns his playing style after.
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Hurts started his career at Alabama as an elite runner, but he had to develop as a passer.
He needed one season (2018) with Dan Enos at Alabama as a quarterbacks coach; however, Hurts went to Oklahoma in 2019 under Lincoln Riley in a free flowing offensive system. The system propelled Hurts to 3,851 passing yards, 53 total touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
He became a second-round draft pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Eagles. Milroe, a native of Katy, Texas, will enter a unique offense in the fall.
He is a dynamic athlete (12 rushing touchdowns in 2023), but DeBoer and Grubb will challenge him to refine his passing mechanics from all aspects.
If he shows marquee improvement on short to intermediate concepts, Milroe will be the most effective playmaker in college football. Should he provide DeBoer with no limitations in the passing game, Milroe will get the Tide back to the College Football Playoff next season and the team should finish as champions.
He has work to do, but Milroe makes thee most sense — especially with how everyone looks at him as the leader.
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Milroe relishes opportunities to prove others wrong and himself right. He totaled nearly 3,000 yards (2,834) passing with a coordinator that’s not known as an elite offensive mind. Now, Milroe has a coach that can take him to the next level.
He has to fend off competition, but the former four-star possesses the ability to do that.
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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.
