Growing up in the Houston, Texas area, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe went to Michael Vick’s youth football camps. On Saturday, at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, he got to run his own.

Milroe put on his first football camp, for children ages 6-18. Afterward, he was asked what he hoped the youngsters took away from the experience.

“They can aspire to achieve all that they want to achieve,” Milroe said. “But also, enjoy the process. Having fun, playing the game that they love.”

Outfitted in a white t-shirt, bearing the name of the camp in Crimson, Milroe was given a megaphone while campers peppered him with questions. One asked for his thoughts on the recent retirement of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban (happy for the coach to enjoy it), why he came to Alabama (to leave home and play against the best), who his idols were growing up (his parents) and more.

When speaking with reporters, Milroe was asked about Saban’s lasting legacy after 17 years with the Crimson Tide. He said it was an immense source of pride to have been one of Saban’s quarterbacks.

“Coach Saban was a key resource in me coming here and I don’t taking it for granted, having him as my coach,” Milroe said. “To have the opportunity to be coached under coach Saban meant a lot to me and I’m super excited for him.”

Upon the hiring of Kalen DeBoer as Saban’s Alabama replacement, Milroe immediately announced he’d be returning for a fourth season in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer’s system has been beneficial for other QBs, including Washington’s Michael Penix, who blossomed into a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2023.

Milroe said he was looking forward to playing for the Crimson Tide’s new leader.

“The biggest thing for a football team is you want to improve and get better the next season,” Milroe said. “We’re in that process right now, with trying to be a better version of ourselves each and every day going into the facility, so we’re gonna do a lot of good things this year and I’m super excited to have him here.”

Milroe also praised how DeBoer has related to the players remaining on Alabama’s roster.

“It’s been great,” the quarterback said. “It’s been great to have him here with the transition, but that’s been big, to have him here with all that he’s done. He’s very personable and he’s bringing good energy to the locker room so we’re all excited to have him here.”