Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting this season. He threw for 17 touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s final eight games and led Alabama on a 10-game win streak that ended with an SEC title and a College Football Playoff appearance.
When he was asked on Thursday if any coaches ever suggested he should play a different position, the answer was unsurprisingly yes. He even had a specific name.
“My own offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told me I shouldn’t play quarterback,” Milroe said. “That’s something I have motivation from.”
O’Brien coached the Alabama offense in 2021 and 2022 before he left for the NFL this past offseason, now working with the Patriots offense.
“How would you feel if I told you you suck?” Milroe said when a reporter asked how the conversation felt.
Milroe was on the Alabama roster for both of O’Brien’s seasons, throwing 60 total passes. He completed 34 of them for 348 yards, throwing six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe says his former OC and current Patriots OC Bill O'Brien told him he should not be a quarterback.
"How would you feel if I told you that you sucked?"
"Look where I'm at right now. So who gets the last laugh?"pic.twitter.com/xurEAr61ge
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 28, 2023
“He told me a bunch of business I could have switched to,” Milroe said. “But look where I’m at right now.”