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The Alabama Crimson Tide are two wins away from yet another national championship under legendary head coach Nick Saban.
If they’re able to do so, it will likely be due to the play of star quarterback Jalen Milroe.
But according to Milroe, there was a time where it looked like he might have to play another position if he wanted to continue a career at Alabama.
At his Thursday press conference ahead of the Rose Bowl against Michigan, Milroe told reporters that people have been telling him to change positions “all my life.” He then said that even former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien suggested that he couldn’t cut it as a college quarterback.
“All my life, even when I was in college,” Milroe said. “Shoot, my own offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, told me I shouldn’t play quarterback. So, there’s a lot of things I can have motivation on and that’s something I have motivation from.”
One reporter then asked Milroe how he felt about O’Brien’s declaration.
“How would you feel if I told you you suck?” Milroe responded. “OK then, that’s exactly how I felt.”
O’Brien, who is now the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, may have had a point at the time. Milroe struggled in limited action in place of Bryce Young last season. He then had similar struggles to start the 2023 season, with Nick Saban benching him in place of Tyler Buchner at one point.
But the redshirt sophomore has progressed as the year has gone on and went 13-of-23 for 192 yards and 2 touchdowns in Alabama’s win over Georgia SEC Championship Game.
Though even that hasn’t stopped all the detractors.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh compared Milroe to Wolverines backup quarterback Alex Orji on Thursday.
We’re sure Saban, Milroe and the rest of the Crimson Tide appreciate the bulletin-board material.