There's not a more polarizing prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft than Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. His supporters point to his incredible athleticism, big arm, and upside to become a star at the next level. His detractors point to his lack of accuracy, poor processing, and lack of improvement from his first to second year starting in Tuscaloosa.
Plenty of experts think he's likely to be a first-round pick, some even including him inside the Top 10. Others, like ESPN's Matt Miller, don't have Milroe in the first two rounds. (ESPN+ subscription required to view Miller's full two-round mock).
Some have questioned whether Milroe would be better suited to change positions in the NFL and perhaps play RB or WR to better utilize his skillset. Milroe has been hell-bent on playing quarterback and has not entertained the possibility of switching positions.
He was asked about it again on Wednesday in an interview with NBC's Chris Simms, the former Texas and NFL QB. Milroe had a hilarious response:
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe on if he would change positions in the NFL:
— On3 (@On3sports) February 5, 2025
"You don't ask a zebra to be a dog." 😂
(via @CSimmsQB) https://t.co/NTVl6rG2I0 pic.twitter.com/7zCxSIZuqK
Milroe has been told since arriving in college that he shouldn't play quarterback. His first offensive coordinator at Alabama, Bill O'Brien, encouraged Milroe to switch positions and didn't see a future for him as a quarterback.
Milroe proved O'Brien wrong to the point that he was a two-year starter at Alabama and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2023 while leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Milroe had a terrific September in 2024 for Alabama, culminating in a career-best performance in Alabama's 41-34 win over Georgia in Tuscaloosa. After Alabama started 4-0, Milroe struggled and the Crimson Tide went just 5-4 over the final nine games of the season that included embarrassing losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
Milroe certainly has potential, but it will take time for him to become a legitimate starting NFL QB. He will need to land in a situation that allows him to sit back, learn, and develop.
For better or worse, Milroe's future in the NFL will be at QB. He will not entertain the possibility of switching positions. He's sticking to his guns and it's hard to blame him. He already exceeded O'Brien's expectations. What's everyone else's?