Jalen Milroe made his intentions abundantly clear on Friday night and his loud declaration leaves Kalen DeBoer with a difficult decision. What does the future look like at quarterback in Alabama?
Nick Saban retired on Wednesday and players were told to wait 72 hours before considering entry into the transfer portal. Washington’s head coach was hired as the successor to the greatest college football coach of all-time on Friday afternoon. In wake of the announcement, there will be a group of Crimson Tide athletes that choose to leave the program and seek a new opportunity elsewhere.
Jalen Milroe is not one of them. Alabama’s incumbent starting quarterback arrived to the players-only meeting with their new head coach in great spirits. He greeted fans with a loud “ROLL TIDE!”
And then, as the rising redshirt junior entered into the Mal Moore Complex, he turned back to the crowd to say: “and I’m staying!” Milroe is not planning to transfer.
However, that may not what be Kalen DeBoer wants…
This is not a knock on Milroe, who led Alabama to the College Football Playoff despite a lot of early-season doubt during the 2023/24 season. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound signal-caller threw for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns on a 65.8% completion clip with just six interceptions and added 531 yards and 12 scores on the ground. There were frustrating moments, but overall, he played well.
DeBoer arrives to Tuscaloosa as one of the most popular offensive minds in the sport. The Huskies averaged 462.1 yards and 36 points in each outing last season. They had the second-ranked passing offense in the country while throwing the ball an average of 38 times per game.
In comparison, Washington finished ranked No. 104 in terms of rushing offense with an average of just 27.4 attempts each week. That’s a stark contrast.
Is Jalen Milroe the best fit for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama?
Milroe can sling it. He proved to be an elite passer — especially with the deep ball — when he is firing on all cylinders. There was a lot of improvement as the year went on but there were times when it just didn’t click.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe gets picked on 3rd and goal from a horrible throw pic.twitter.com/CccHtpGCwO
— CFBBlueprint (@CFBBluePrint) September 23, 2023
It is possible that DeBoer could desire a new quarterback that might better fit his scheme. Alabama may choose to add one through the transfer portal to compete with Milroe during spring ball and fall camp.
Will Rogers is one name to watch. The former Mississippi State quarterback committed to Washington prior to the national championship and was slated to replace Michael Penix Jr.
He re-entered the transfer portal after DeBoer’s departure. Could they soon reunite?
It is entirely speculation at this point, but don’t rule it out.
Rogers threw for more than 8,600 yards and 70 touchdowns in 2021 and 2022 while playing in Mike Leach’s air raid offense. And he did so in the SEC West, so it’s not like a move to the Crimson Tide would require him to adjust to new defenses.
The graduate transfer could plug right in to DeBoer’s offense. “Could” being the key word.
DeBoer has yet to comment on his plans for the quarterback position. He’s been a little busy.
However, with Milroe declaring his intent to stay, Alabama’s new head coach has a decision to make.