Why Jalen Milroe is Alabama footballâs starting quarterback again
Nick Saban didn’t wait for the news to leak out the day before the game again. On Monday, the Alabama football head coach entered his weekly press conference, and addressed the quarterback situation during his opening statement.
After losing the starting job for the South Florida game following a loss to Texas, Jalen Milroe is back.
“Jalen really showed the leadership that I was looking for during the game in terms of supporting his teammates and doing the things he needed to do,” Saban said. “He’s had the opportunity to play. So have the other guys. Jalen played the best of all those guys, so I think he’s earned the opportunity to be the quarterback.”
After Milroe threw two interceptions against Texas, Tyler Buchner started the USF game. When Buchner struggled, Saban went to Ty Simpson.
Milroe didn’t play.
“We play the guys that practice the best all week long,” Saban said after the game.
Milroe continued to try and display leadership, even from the sideline. When the Crimson Tide quarterbacks came out for warmups before the game, it was Milroe giving them a message in the tunnel and breaking down the huddle to head to the field.
When Simpson scored on a quarterback sneak to seal the game with 33 seconds remaining, there was Milroe, stepping out to hug his fellow QB on the way back to the sideline.
“I know a lot of guys in that position, at a lot of different levels but especially as the starting quarterback at Alabama — once you lose that job, it does something to your confidence and your morale,” offensive tackle JC Latham said. “He took it on the chin. He knew what he had to do to be better, and he never brought negative energy, on or off the field. He’s held himself accountable. He’s held all of us accountable. He did what he had to do. It was a great example of what a leader is and what a leader needs to do through adversity”
Milroe’s play also has been more of a spark for the Crimson Tide through three games. He earned the SEC’s co-offensive player of the week award after beating Middle Tennessee State in the season opener.
Even against Texas, Milroe had positive moments. Saban admitted after that game that he considered pulling him, but when the redshirt sophomore led a scoring drive, he left him in.
Milroe is far more dangerous running the ball, a helpful skill to have when an offensive line struggles like Alabama’s has. He also has shown off an ability to connect on the deep ball.
Combining everything shown on the field so far, Milroe has been the best quarterback. When asked a follow-up question about him, Saban left it at that.
“I made the comment, and that’s the comment,” Saban said. “So he’s played the best of the quarterbacks, and that’s the way it is right now.”
Alabama faces Ole Miss at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Tuscaloosa. The game will be aired on CBS.
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