He would open next season as a Heisman Trophy contender, but some feel like Jalen Milroe has done enough to be a finalist for the coveted bronze award right now.

The sophomore quarterback for Alabama football will not be in New York City for Saturday's Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation. Jayden Daniels (LSU, quarterback), Michael Penix Jr. (quarterback, Washington), Bo Nix (quarterback, Oregon), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (wide receiver, Ohio State) are the four finalists. Milroe took an overlooked and disrespected Alabama team to a Southeastern Conference Championship, leading it to a 27-24 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs last week.

RELATED: Jalen Milroe heard yelling “Give me the Heisman” after late win over Auburn

He earned SEC Championship Game Most Valuable Player honors.

 The native Texan was voted team MVP and a permanent team captain by his peers in the Crimson Tide's awards banquet.

Milroe has 2,718 passing yards, 468 rushing yards, and 35 total touchdowns. He is tied with Blake Sims (2014) and Tua Tagovailoa (2019) for fifth all-time for most touchdowns totaled in a single season with 35. Milroe is also seventh all-time in school history for total yards in a season (3,186). He has the Tide in the College Football Playoff as a first-year starting signal-caller, and some Alabama fans believe he should have been a Heisman finalist. Milroe appeared on The Next Round show on Friday. The former four-star detailed why is fine with not being a Heisman finalist. He has more important matters to handle.

“Not at all, I don’t mind that. I’d rather win a National Championship, that means more to me. Any team accolade, anything for the team that we can all gain success on…that means more to me…”

Jalen Milroe is not disappointed that he’s not a Heisman Finalist, he’s worried about… pic.twitter.com/yioNmveuK0

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 7, 2023

"Not at all, I don't mind that," Milroe said about him not being disappointed in not going to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. "I'd rather win a National Championship, that means more to me. Any team accolade, anything for the team that we can all gain success on…that means more to me. I am happy to continue our journey to play in the College Football Playoff, but my biggest focus is on the task at hand and that is taking care of Michigan."

Milroe will lead the Tide against the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

Alabama is a 1.5 to 2-point underdog to Michigan via a few betting sites. 

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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.