He has been through a whirlwind since getting the Alabama football head coach job, but things have started to slow down for Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer is excited to show fans what he has in spring practice, but he is also intrigued by what Alabama has in its quarterback room. Jalen Milroe returns as the incumbent starter. The native Texan posted 35 total touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore, helping the Crimson Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
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He made exponential growth in 2023; however, Milroe has areas that need to be improved.
DeBoer also inherits Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and his guy, Austin Mack, followed him from Washington to Alabama. The offense at Washington was based on accuracy, precision, and timing. DeBoer shared with Ryan Fowler, host of The Game with Ryan Fowler on Tide 100.9 FM, what he looks for in a quarterback.
Kalen DeBoer talks about what it takes to play QB in his system
“We’ll adjust to whatever that quarterback skillset is. Certainly, a guy who can deliver the ball to the skill around him. There are 11 players on the football field on both sides of the ball, and I think you want… pic.twitter.com/aiCn7KNUUh
— Ryan C. Fowler (@RyanCFowler) February 21, 2024
“We will adjust to whatever that quarterback’s skill set is,” DeBoer said. “We certainly want a quarterback that deliver the ball to the skills around him. I think there are 11 players on a football field on both sides of the ball, and you want to maximize every position. That can be done in different ways, and I would hope we can be is a team that can deliver the ball to all our skill positions.”
DeBoer sees Milroe’s athletic ability as an ‘added weapon.’ Milroe rushed for 12 touchdowns in 2023.
“That makes everyone around him better,” DeBoer said about Milroe. “Extra eyes are in the backfield, and there are a lot of different way this can go. You need a guy that is poised, a guy that is confident in the big moments and his teammates feel that, and there are things you do as a quarterback beyond the skill set in leading a football team.”
Milroe has the poise, confidence, and leadership needed, but he has to improve in consistently getting the ball to playmakers.
If he can a step forward, Milroe will be the most effective quarterback in college football.
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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.
