Alabama Football: Among Tide QBs, Milroe is ‘The Guy’
By Ronald Evans
Why can’t Alabama football fans move past worry about the Crimson Tide’s 2023 starting quarterback? There are several reasons. One is the next QB1 will be the successor to Bryce Young, who many Alabama fans believe was the Crimson Tide’s all-time best.
Another reason is there is no clear heir-apparent in a deep quarterback room. Three of the current five do not have sufficient college football resumes to predict their future success or failure.
Tyler Buchner has the most complete resume, but it was at another program, in a different offense, and most importantly, with less player talent around him. Jalen Milroe is an enigma. The heat of serious game competition appeared too much for him at times last season. We relish his special combination of size and speed that makes him a dangerous running threat. At the same time, we seem to forget that in high school, at a high level of Texas football, Milroe was mostly a pocket passer.
In three seasons in Katy, TX, Milroe passed for 5,350 yards and 52 touchdowns. Those numbers are far from insignificant. By comparison, in the last three seasons of Arch Manning’s high school career, he passed for 6,030 yards, at a school in the second to lowest class of Louisiana high school football.
No direct comparison is being made between the two quarterbacks. Manning may become a college superstar and Jalen Milroe may be a bust. But those who are sure how Jalen Milroe’s college career will transpire have no crystal ball.
Several days ago, I seriously suggested that often-mentioned Heisman contender, Tennessee QB, Joe Milton, may be no more special than Jalen Milroe. How does anyone really know yet? Yes, Milton has competed in more college games and has a big arm. But percentage-wise, in passing accuracy Milton’s and Milroe’s stats are similar.
Another look after the next Alabama football scrimmage
After the upcoming Alabama football scrimmage, enough facts could emerge to change my opinion. Or it could change during the season’s early games. But today, my belief is Jalen Milroe is the Tide’s QB1 for sound reasons. He has the most development time in Tuscaloosa. Numerous sources argue he is liked, respected, and trusted by his teammates. The offense will rally around the best QB, but at this point, it appears none of the others are close to winning the team over Milroe.
It is next to impossible to uncover any solid argument why one of the other four Tide QBs will leap past Milroe before the start of the season.
Next. Wide receiver maybe more pivotal than quarterback. dark
Each of the other four guys could potentially be a better Alabama quarterback than Milroe. But for now, unless one of them shows such potential against Alabama’s first-unit defense, Jalen Milroe is the man to lead the Crimson Tide offense against MTSU, and possibly all the 2023 games that follow.