Alabama football QB Jalen Milroe announces decision on 2025 NFL Draft
Alabama football QB Jalen Milroe has announced he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a 9-4 season in 2024, he struggled mightily in three of the Crimson Tide's losses, against Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Overall, he did not improve as a passer from his first year to his second, which will be a concern for NFL general managers in their evaluation of his draft status.
A fourth-year junior, Milroe was a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, operating two very different offenses; one under former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees in legendary coach Nick Saban's last season in 2023, and under new head coach Kalen DeBoer's offensive coordinator, Nick Sheridan, in 2024.
He completed 205 of 319 passes (64.3%) 2,844 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final collegiate campaign, and became one of only four SEC quarterbacks in history to rush for 20 touchdowns in a season, joining Tim Tebow, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel. He ran for 726 yards and 20 scores on the ground.
In NFL personnel circles, Milroe is viewed as a high-upside quarterback prospect, but also one who will need significantly more development at the pro level. Turnovers are one concern, as well as his pocket presence, but he has a strong arm and is one of the most prolific athletes in the college game. Scouts expect Milroe to excel at the NFL Scouting Combine, where his combination of size, speed and quickness could drive up his draft stock despite the struggles he had as a passer. He would be the fifth consecutive Alabama starting quarterback to be selected in the draft, following Bryce Young, Mac Jones, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa.
Sacked a whopping 44 times in 2023, his pass protection improved in 2024 and he was sacked 23 times.
After a home loss to Texas and a one-game benching in 2023, Milroe led Alabama to 10 consecutive wins and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Michigan beat the Crimson Tide 27-20 in overtime in the CFP semifinal. Milroe completed 187 of 284 passes for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2023, while adding 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Milroe is a two-time team captain, and was among the team leaders who worked to keep the Alabama roster together during the coaching transition from Saban to DeBoer.Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.