The Alabama Crimson Tide, nicknamed No. 4 by the College Football Playoff committee earlier this month, is poised to clinch their first national title since the 2020-2021 season. Their journey commences with a semi-final battle against No. 1 Michigan Wolverines later this weekend.
The 2023 season took a positive turn for the Crimson Tide when they emerged victorious against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship. This propelled them into the playoff as a one-loss conference champion over the undefeated Florida State Seminoles.
That said, 2023 has marked a significant transition for Alabama. The team lost 10 players to the NFL Draft, including quarterback Bryce Young and top running back Jahmyr Gibbs, both of whom were selected in the first round.
Rather than resorting to the transfer portal, like many other playoff hopefuls, the Crimson Tide turned to backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, who delivered an impressive performance in the limited action of 2022. He threw for 297 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions, boasting a 58.5 percent completion rate.
After earning the starting job, Milroe faced a tough challenge as Alabama hosted Texas in a non-conference matchup in Week 2.
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The Crimson Tide endured a tough 34-24 loss, during which Milroe threw two interceptions and completed just 51.8 percent of his passes. This prompted questions about his capability to be Alabama’s long-term starter.
Milroe was benched the following week in favor of quarterbacks Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson during Alabama’s 17-3 win over South Florida, further highlighting the issues with the team’s offense. It was clear that determining the right quarterback for the Crimson Tide was crucial.
Milroe reclaimed the starting job one week later against Ole Miss and never looked back, ending the year with 2,718 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions. His completion rate was at a remarkable 65.5 percent, and he also rushed for 12 touchdowns.
“I’d been splitting reps throughout the offseason. Even the Texas week, I was splitting some of the reps,” Milroe said earlier this season, via ESPN. “But after that meeting with Coach Saban, I felt like I could play freely and not be restricted. It’s been so different because now it’s my team and now it’s my offense. Now it’s me, Coach Saban, and [offensive coordinator] Coach [Tommy] Rees all jelling together.”
Within a matter of weeks, Milroe went from being benched to an emerging star and is set to lead Alabama into 2024 with aspirations of being one of the top quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
At 6’2, 220 pounds, Milroe is not your regular quarterback – his build mirrors that of a running back or a defensive back, and the signal-caller himself acknowledged the fact.
“When you look at me, you don’t think I play quarterback,” Milroe said,