Jalen Milroe, a promising quarterback from the University of Alabama, recently made a compelling case at the NFL combine, asserting his readiness to start in the league. Despite facing criticism for his passing statistics, Milroe remains undeterred and committed to improving his skills. He recognizes his current weaknesses and is determined to evolve beyond being a "one-dimensional" player.
Milroe's performance in the 2023 season demonstrated his potential, with his 10 yards per attempt ranking third in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Although passing has not been his forte, he possesses a formidable arm strength. In a standout game against Georgia, Milroe showcased his capabilities by completing nearly 82% of his passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 117 yards and scoring two additional touchdowns.
Milroe's journey has not been without challenges. Over two seasons as a starter, he threw 17 interceptions and suffered 67 sacks. However, he remains undaunted, drawing inspiration from NFL star Jalen Hurts, who similarly transitioned from a run-first game manager to a Super Bowl champion. Milroe admires Hurts' perseverance and ability to elevate his game consistently.
“The biggest thing I learned from J. Hurts is how he kept his head down [and] always continued to work,” – Jalen Milroe
Milroe's arm strength surpasses that of Hurts, yet he has not surpassed 3,000 passing yards in a single season, a milestone last unmet by an Alabama starter since Hurts. Milroe's determination to match Hurts in "Jalen-isms" is evident in his work ethic and commitment to improvement. He went undefeated in the SEC as a first-year starter, displaying strong arm strength and precise placement on sail, curl, and go routes during throwing drills.
Despite his strengths, Milroe struggles with accuracy on intermediate out and post routes. He acknowledges these areas for improvement and has vowed to work hard to refine his skills.
“It’s so many things I can learn more from where I am at today and where I’m going to be at when it comes to Day 1 starting in the NFL,” – Jalen Milroe
“Always be a student of the game, always look to grow, because it’s going to be so many opportunities where I can look back and say this was the moment where I grew as a quarterback.” – Jalen Milroe
Milroe's dedication to growth is evident in his decision to stay at Alabama even after Coach Nick Saban's retirement in 2023. He ran six miles a day to ensure he had the stamina for fourth-quarter performance, highlighting his commitment to excellence.
“Climbing a mountain ain’t easy but when you get to the top of that mountain you’ll learn so many things when it comes to adversity, when it comes to hardship, things along the way,” – Jalen Milroe
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