Jalen Milroe was committed to Texas for a time. Jase McClellan’s cousin Jonathan Gray, a Longhorns running back for three seasons, tried to recruit McClellan.

Yet, when Alabama football’s offense takes the field across from the Longhorns on Saturday night, both members of the UA backfield will be Lone Star state natives wearing crimson.

“Alabama was one of the schools that I wanted to go to. They were coaches that were here throughout my recruiting process. They’re great guys, great coaches,” Milroe said on Monday. They recruited me here, but I love the team that we have and the coaches that we have here now.”

McClellan followed up a day later: “My family was Texas fans and that’s where they wanted me to go, but I didn’t see myself going there. … (Gray) tried to get me to go there, but I wasn’t feeling it.”

McClellan, who grew up 200 miles north of Austin in Aledo, was committed to Texas for a time. He had a welcome homecoming last season when he ripped an 81-yard rush in Alabama’s 20-19 win. McClellan said his family in attendance had a “wild reaction.” Now UA’s starting running back, McClellan complimented Milroe’s five touchdowns with a team-leading 10 carries for 39 yards and a score.

Milroe is from Katy, Texas, and was a four-star prospect out of Tompkins High and was the No. 13 player from the state in the class of 2021. He admitted that while he owned a Vince Young jersey growing up, it’ll still be just another game.

“To speak about this week, it’s very exciting, Milroe said. “This is one of the reasons you come to play college football for moments like this. We know we have a tough matchup this week. We’re excited. But number one, we’re gonna focus on today.”

The recently-named Allstate Crossbar Classic will air on ESPN at 6 p.m.

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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].