11/9/19 MFB vs LSU Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban Team Photo by Robert Sutton
Alabama is transitioning into the post-Nick Saban era, with former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer now leading the team in Tuscaloosa.
With a revamped roster, the Crimson Tide are relying on senior quarterback Jalen Milroe, who served as the primary starter last season. Despite Alabama’s impressive 12-2 record and College Football Playoff appearance, they fell short against Michigan in the semifinals. To position themselves for another playoff run, they need Milroe to take his game to the next level.
On “The No. 1 College Football Show with RJ Young,” RJ Young discussed Milroe’s potential with sports media personality Bomani Jones. Jones drew parallels between Milroe’s development and that of a former Texas standout.
Jones noted that he considered the 2022 version of Jayden Daniels to be superior to the 2023 iteration of Jalen Milroe. However, he emphasized the potential for Milroe to undergo significant improvement during the offseason, highlighting the transformative jumps seen in other players. He cited the transition in Vince Young’s passing game from 2004 to 2005 as a notable example.
In the previous season, Milroe amassed 2,834 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 172.2 passer rating, with a completion rate of 65.8%. Additionally, he rushed for 531 yards and two touchdowns. In contrast, he had limited playing time in the prior year, appearing in only four games and making one start in place of Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner.
On the other hand, Daniels, who recently won the 2023 Heisman Trophy with LSU, had a modest debut season in 2022 at Baton Rouge. He is anticipated to be chosen by the Washington Commanders as the second overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Young, a pivotal figure in Texas’ 2005 National Championship victory, showcased significant improvement in passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating from 2004 to 2005. He consistently achieved over 1,000 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in both seasons. Young was subsequently drafted by The Tennessee Titans as the third overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.
Young expressed his admiration for Jalen Milroe but highlighted similarities between Milroe and another quarterback, Jalen Hurts. He emphasized the concern of quarterbacks fumbling the ball, citing an instance where he believes the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs due to such an error. Despite this concern, Young acknowledged Milroe’s significant achievements, including defeating Georgia and orchestrating a dramatic comeback victory against Auburn.
As the Crimson Tide prepare for the upcoming season, they face stiffer competition in the SEC with the addition of No. 3 Texas and No. 12 Oklahoma to the conference.
