Kirby Smart has a lot of respect for Alabama's quarterback, Jalen Milroe.

He has watched the sophomore develop into one of the best players in college football.

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

Milroe has grown from most perceiving him as a liability to the biggest asset for the Crimson Tide heading into the SEC Championship Game. Smart knows his defense has the difficult challenge of containing an elusive quarterback. 

He paid Milroe a very high compliment Sunday in describing him to reporters. Smart compared the native Texan to a former Most Valuable Player in the National Football League at the quarterback position.

"No offense to Tim Tebow, but this guy is different...this guy is a bigger, physical version of (Lamar Jackson)." - Kirby Smart with some HIGH praise for Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. @TimTebow @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/ERj5YgKwQm

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) November 27, 2023

"No offense to Tim Tebow, but this guy is different," Smart said. "It is a different running style. It was a very different running style in terms of what they did (Florida) and how they did things. This guy ... it's like when I would ask my sons who they were playing with on the Madden game, they would say 'I'm playing with the Ravens.' I would say 'Why are you playing with the Ravens?' They answered with because they got Lamar Jackson. Nobody can tackle him. This guy is a bigger, physical version of that. He is playing at a different speed than everyone else when you watch him. Then, the guy throws the ball really well."

RELATED: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe shares SEC Offensive Player of the Week after Iron Bowl performance

Jackson was one of the first comparisons Milroe received.

He is bigger than the former first-round pick, but his explosive skill set resembles the 2019 first-team NFL All-Pro.

We will see how Milroe attacks Georgia's defense in the SEC Championship Game.

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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.