He wants to prove he can lead Alabama football to a College Football Playoff National Championship as its starting quarterback, but could we see Jalen Milroe back in crimson and white next season?
Milroe, a redshirt junior, is eligible to declare for the NFL Draft after this campaign in college.
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Most draft pundits have him among the top five quarterbacks for next year’s venue. After his performance against Georgia, ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Milroe as the potential No. 1 overall pick for 2025. He has not played well since facing the Bulldogs; however, Milroe did help the Crimson Tide to a bounce back win over Missouri. Milroe has 1,937 passing yards, 380 rushing yards, and 25 total touchdowns to six interceptions. He is the first player in the history of the University of Alabama football program to have 25 career passing touchdowns (42) and 25 career rushing touchdowns (25), but there are still areas to his game that need improvement. Tom Luginbill, a college football analyst for ESPN, says Milroe may be back at Alabama next season.
“He’s gonna turn his papers in to the NFL and I’ll be very curious whether or not they tell him, you’re a first or second rounder or you need to go back to school.
Right now I would say they may tell him to go back to school.” @TomLuginbill on @AlabamaFTBL QB Jalen Milroe pic.twitter.com/klIZJydzGm
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) October 28, 2024
“I think he really should think about if he needs to come back to Alabama and have another year in this offense where he can improve and put on tape a consistency of performance,” Luginbill said about Milroe. “I think that is really important for him because he I going to turn his papers in to the NFL and I’ll be very curious whether or not they tell him, you’re a first or second rounder or you need to go back to school. Right now, I would say they would tell him to go back to school.”
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Milroe has not admitted it to nor have the coaches, but it looks like he’s favoring something injury-wise.
He has not had the same burst to his runs that he had earlier in the season.
Milroe is also not stepping into his passes, which has caused issues with his accuracy. Another year in the Kalen DeBoer offense would be good for him, but you also have to ask if he returns does Alabama lose multiple quarterbacks to the NCAA transfer portal? Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and Austin Mack are behind Milroe, while Keelon Russell — should he sign — is coming in the 2025 recruiting class. Milroe has a huge decision to make, but it starts by playing his best football from here on out.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
