Following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban in January, the Alabama Crimson Tide faced significant challenges, including multiple player departures through the transfer portal.
However, quarterback Jalen Milroe chose to stay in Tuscaloosa, signaling his commitment to the program as it entered the new era under head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Milroe’s journey last season was marked by significant ups and downs. After a disappointing loss to the Texas Longhorns in Week 2, he found himself benched in the subsequent game against the USF Bulls. However, he made a strong comeback, regaining his starting position in Week 4 against a formidable Ole Miss team.
This victory set the tone for the remainder of the season, as Milroe led the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship and secured a berth in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the eighth time.
Milroe’s resilience was further recognized as he finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting—a remarkable achievement given his earlier benching. With the departure of the top five Heisman vote-getters to the NFL, Milroe enters the upcoming season as the highest-returning candidate for the prestigious award.
RELATED: Jalen Milroe’s Commitment to Alabama Extends Beyond Football
His potential under DeBoer’s system, which previously developed Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. into a top-ten NFL draft pick, adds to the anticipation surrounding Milroe’s performance.
In recognition of his abilities, Milroe has been named to the watch lists for both the Manning Award and the Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Manning Award is given annually to the best quarterback in college football, a title won by LSU’s Jayden Daniels in 2023. Alabama’s history with the award includes winners such as Mac Jones in 2020 and Bryce Young in 2021.
The Unitas Golden Arm Award, which honors the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback, was also awarded to Daniels in 2023. Alabama has previously had three winners: Jay Barker in 1994, AJ McCarron in 2013, and Mac Jones in 2020.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on Milroe as he aims to build on his previous successes and lead the Crimson Tide to new heights under DeBoer’s guidance.
