Kalen DeBoer compares calling plays for Jalen Milroe to current Alabama quarterbacks

Photo by Kent Gidley - Alabama Athletics

As the 2025 season approaches, Alabama is in the midst of one of the most intriguing quarterback competitions in the nation.

With Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the door is wide open for Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or freshman Keelon Russell to become the new sheriff in town. 

At the SEC Spring Meetings in Florida, Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about the challenge of coaching quarterbacks who have different skill sets than Milroe, and he detailed what the play-calling process was like with Milroe at quarterback.

“I think with Jalen, he had added elements to his game,” DeBoer said. “He could throw the ball, but you had to make sure you were utilizing, to benefit your team, the things he can do with his legs. I think that making sure you’re incorporating more offense where he can take advantage of that and we can take advantage of that, then forces you to figure out where you’re taking away because there’s still so many snaps you play in a game or a season. Who’s touching the ball? It’s gonna take away from someone else and you’re trying to figure out that balancing act, and a lot of it has to depend on the other personnel you have around him. That will continue to be the case this year.” 

Milroe is one of the most gifted athletes to play for Alabama, but like DeBoer mentioned, it was a challenge to find a solid run-pass balance that best utilizes all the talent on the field.    

In 2024, Milroe carried the rock 168 times. He turned those touches into 726 yards and 20 touchdowns, but like DeBoer alluded to, some players like wide receiver Ryan Williams did not get many touches toward the end of the season. In the Crimson Tide’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan, Williams finished with three catches for eight yards.

However, with Simpson, Mack or Russell under center, there will likely be less designed-quarterback runs, which means there could be more opportunities for players like Williams to create some magic in the passing game.

“We do have three guys that are more alike than different,” DeBoer said. “Jalen was certainly different. I mean that in a positive way. I mean that with the utmost respect for what Jalen’s game is all about because he’s got some special elements to his game when it comes to running that really I’ve never been able to coach and very few have seen.”

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