Jermaine Burton didn’t remember how far Jalen Milroe’s throws traveled, but the memory from the practice in Alabama football’s Hank Crisp Indoor Facility was enough to have Burton shaking his head and smiling.

“That boy’s strong,” Burton said last week, echoing a fact teammates, fans and more importantly, opposing defenses have noticed about the Tide’s starting quarterback.

Milroe’s strength has been a calling card since his arrival in 2021. It started in the weight room and became apparent each time the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder burst downfield on a run play. But this fall, Milroe’s power has materialized in the passing attack, oddly becoming the most reliable element of the Tide’s offense.

Each of No. 12 Alabama’s (3-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) six passing touchdowns can be considered a “big play,” meaning it gained more than 15 yards. Milroe has delivered 12 such throws, half of which scored points for UA. It’s been the boom for an overall attack that’s scoring the third-lowest per-game point total in the conference (30.25).

New coordinator Tommy Rees has focused most of Milroe’s attempts either behind the line of scrimmage or within 10 yards, according to PFF. But Milroe’s second-most common throw is a deep ball with his target at least 20 yards away. The style complements Alabama’s running game, which can force defenses to bring defensive backs closer to Milroe and more susceptible to a deep shot.

“He can launch it over your head in the secondary. At some point, far enough down the field, pretty much all coverages turn to man-to-man at that point,” Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2) head coach Zach Arnett said Wednesday. “They have great speed. Burton, No. 3, has tremendous speed so he can take the top of the coverage. There’s quite a few other receivers who can too. Milroe can let it fly.”

With Milroe making his first road start this weekend against Arnett’s Bulldogs (8 p.m. CT, ESPN), the aerial routes could give the Tide another statement SEC win. Mississippi State is one of the worst teams nationally in preventing long passes. It’s allowing 8.5 yards per attempt by opposing quarterbacks and has given up 1,120 yards in four games.

Part of the Tide’s passing offense is built on the speed of its receivers. So far, the unit has been led by Burton’s eight catches and 189 yards. The Georiga transfer has proven one of Milroe’s favorite downfield targets. The pair could have more opportunities this weekend. The best game of Burton’s career came against Mississippi State in 2020 when he posted 197 yards and two touchdowns.

“(Milroe) very strong and has a strong arm and he knows his receivers,” senior defensive back Malachi Moore added. “Like that catch Jermaine (Burton) had (against Ole Miss), it was really a throw that really only Jermaine could catch. I think that’s one thing.”

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].