QB Jalen Milroe eventually defeated Nick Saban and spent the whole 2023 season as Alabama’s starting quarterback. He also started for the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl.
One would assume that would make Milroe, a redshirt junior, a lock to be Alabama’s quarterback as the Crimson Tide drill this spring in the first repetitions of the Kalen DeBoer era, but that does not appear to be the case.
Speaking to the media on Monday, DeBoer stated that while Milroe eventually began spring practice and had reps with the first team, there will be competition at quarterback this offseason.
“You want competition, correct? The competition will always be present, and yes, someone had to take the first reps today with the ones,” DeBoer stated on Monday (h/t On3). “We lined up and referred to them as (ones). And Jalen Milroe did. He’s throwing everything into it, as are the other guys who took the first reps. But I fully anticipate the ones who are genuinely driven to push the men ahead of them to do their best. That is what you want in a football program.”
Milroe’s main challenge this spring and fall will probably be redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson, a former five-star prospect.
Simpson was the backup last season, but he played six games and completed 11-of-20 passes for 179 yards. He also poses a threat to defenses as a runner, carrying 14 times last season for 86 yards, two touchdowns, and a two-point conversion.
Milroe will have to compete to gain DeBoer’s trust, but it does not mean he is unworthy.
Last season, he threw for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns (six interceptions), in addition to rushing 161 times for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns. Milroe was also named permanent team captain last season by Saban.
