Jalen Milroe has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. He leaves a very complicated legacy as the quarterback at Alabama. He has had some of the brightest and darkest moments in recent quarterback play while under center in Tuscaloosa. We've seen this man beat LSU and Georgia twice, win an SEC championship, come within a few yards of winning a college football playoff game, and make one of the most famous throws in Iron Bowl history. His smile and his Roll Tide responses during interviews after a win are some of the most contagious things in sports.
With all the great moments there have been some head-scratching moments like why he struggled so much in both games against Michigan and against Oklahoma during the 2024 season. We saw him unable to lead the Crimson Tide down the field despite all the chances in Knoxville this past season. Despite his considerable physical gifts, there was never a consistency that could be counted on from game to game. Alabama football fans never knew what Jalen to expect in a game. In some games, within a few minutes from the start, it was clear Milroe was off. To be fair during both seasons with Jalen as the starter, he wasn't always put in the best positions to win.
I don't think either offensive coordinator, Reese or Sheridan, used him to the best of his abilities or knew how to use him if the original game plan didn't work right away. He will forever be a guy who will be known as a great athlete and a great deep ball. His running abilities saved Alabama many games, but sadly his biggest downfall was there was no middle-level Milroe. He was either all the way on or all the way off. Kudos to him for sticking around after Coach Saban retired. He was glue that helped hold the roster together. I wish him the best with his NFL future. He left some memorable moments and down the road will be appreciated even more than he is today.