During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns. Playing behind Young, Jalen Milroe passed for 338 yards and six touchdowns in those seasons.

Then Young left the Crimson Tide as the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

After Young’s departure for the Carolina Panthers, Milroe threw for 5,678 yards and 39 touchdowns and ran for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns for Alabama in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

And now it’s time for Milroe to follow Young into the NFL via the draft. Although his former backup won’t be the No. 1 pick, Young said Milroe has what it takes to win in the NFL.

“I’ve talked to him a good amount,” Young said this week during an appearance on “CBS Sports HQ.” “Just saw him recently. And, obviously, the player that he is, how dynamic he is, what he can bring to an offense from him being able to expand a playbook, really put defenses in a bind with what he can do both throwing and passing is one of the huge things that jumps off the sheets.

“But the stuff that people don’t really get to see outside of just the stat sheet is just how great of a leader he is. He’s someone that commands a locker room, that commands a team. Even when he wasn’t starting when I was there, everyone respected him. Everyone knew that he was going to be the guy. And then having a lot of teammates being around while he was the guy, him being the leader of that team, everyone wanted to play for him, wanted to be at their best for him. He’s someone who’s a winner, who believes in winning, does all the little things to make sure that he’s going to be successful. And I know he’ll continue that at the next level, and the habits he has, the work ethic he has, on top of all the stuff that he brings on the field, which is a ton.

“I’m excited for him to get his opportunity, his chance at the next level. And I’m excited to watch him. I’ve always been a huge fan of his, watching him grow from when he got there and have the success I knew he would have at the college level. And I’m excited for him to do the same at the NFL level.”

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Milroe’s draft experience likely will differ from Young’s. The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner was picked by the Panthers with the intention of starting Game 1 of Year 1. With the No. 1 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans appear in the market for a quarterback, the position that has provided the first pick in eight of the past 10 drafts.

“The guys in the draft this year, I have a ton of respect for,” Young said about his advice to the quarterback who will go No. 1. “A lot of talent coming up and, especially for the quarterbacks, they’ve gotten where they’re at on their own. They know what to do. They have experience, maybe not at the NFL level, but just through their lives. But just to keep that, to hold on to all the stuff that’s got them there, to continue to be who they are, and, obviously, you want to find that within the parameters of whatever system and team you go to.

“But, you know, just to hold on to who you are, understand what got you there, and if you’re taken for that at that position and if you’re taken at that time, it’s for a reason, and just to embrace that.”

The NFL Draft will be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.