Tag: Jalen Milroe

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe named to both the Manning and Unitas Golden Arm watch list

Two major CFB awards name Alabama QB Jalen Milroe to preseason watch list.

After Nick Saban announced his retirement from college football in January, the Alabama Crimson Tide roster suffered several losses to the transfer portal. But one guy who decided to stay in Tuscaloosa to be a part of the Kalen DeBoer era was quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Milroe and the Crimson Tide suffered an ugly Week 2 loss to the Texas Longhorns a year ago, and consequently, Milroe was benched the following week against the USF Bulls. He earned the starting job back in Week 4 against a top-15 Ole Miss squad, picked up a key win, and never looked back.

The Crimson Tide went on to win the SEC Championship and earn an eight-CFP berth. As for Milroe, he finished No. 6 in the Heisman voting, which is pretty remarkable given where he was after the USF game. Heading into this season, Milroe is the highest-returning Heisman vote-getter from last season with the top five guys all departing for the NFL.

DeBoer turned former Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr. into a top ten pick, so it will be very fun to watch Milroe progress in this QB friendly offense. All the tools are around Milroe for him to have a massive season, and as a result he has been named to both the Manning Award and Unitas Golden Arm Award watch lists.

The Manning Award is presented annually to the best quarterback in college football with LSU Tiger’s Jayden Daniels winning the award in 2023. Mac Jones (2020) and Bryce Young (2021) are Alabama’s only ever recipients.

The Unitas Golden Arm Award is awarded annually to the nation’s top upperclassmen QB. LSU’s Daniels also won this award in 2023. Alabama has had three winners ever in Jay Barker (1994), AJ McCarron (2013) and Mac Jones (2020).

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FOX Sports ranks all 134 FBS teams from worst to first heading into 2024

FOX Sports CFB expert ranks Alabama No. 9 heading into 2024 season.

Going into a college football season, I can’t think of a year where the race for the national title has ever been more wide open.

The Georgia Bulldogs will enter the year as the betting favorites having won two of the last three national titles, the Ohio State Buckeyes have probably the best roster in the sport, the Michigan Wolverines are the defending national champions, the Texas Longhorns have two NFL quarterbacks, it is anyone’s for the taking.

But for the first time in a while, it also feels like the target is off the back of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Don’t get it confused, they are still one of the most talented rosters in the sport, but with the legendary Nick Saban retiring, they are a bit of a dark horse in this year’s race. Which to me is a bit confusing given new head coach Kalen DeBoer just led the Washington Huskies to a national championship appearance and starting quarterback Jalen Milroe is the highest-returning Heisman Trophy vote-getter from a season ago.

The Tide also take on one of their more favorable schedules in recent years, so the lack of fear for Alabama is interesting. In fact, FOX Sports’ RJ Young ranked the Crimson Tide No. 9 in his full 1-134 rankings of every FBS program. Young’s rankings also includes six members of the SEC in the top ten.

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ESPN ranks the 25 players with the greatest impact on the CFP race

Four Alabama players named in ESPN’s Top 25 most impactful players in CFP race.

The 2024 season will be special for the simple fact it’s the first time in 17 years that the legendary Nick Saban will not be on the sideline. However, with just 19 days until the start of the season, the excitement for the new head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide Kalen DeBoer is palpable.

Another major change coming to college football this year is the expansion of the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams. The Crimson Tide qualified for the four-team Playoff in eight of the ten years, so the larger pool size means they’ll be in the Playoff basically every single year.

The Alabama roster will look slightly different this year after several players followed Saban’s exit such as S Caleb Downs to Ohio State and WR Isaiah Bond to Texas. However, the Tide will still be one of the most talented rosters in the sport with a number of future NFL players.

Bill Connelly of ESPN broke down the 25 most important players in 2024’s College Football Playoff race (subscription required). Connelly ranked C Parker Brailsford No. 17 on the list as well as CBs Domani Jackson or/and DaShawn Jones at No. 15. The former Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond ranked No. 14 as well.

WR Kobe Prentice is still waiting for his breakout season in Tuscaloosa after posting 49 grabs for 651 yards and four touchdowns through his first two years. ESPN sees Prentice having a massive impact on this year’s CFP race ranking him No. 10 and saying,

“The vast number of former blue-chippers on the roster is unlike anything DeBoer has worked with to date, but experience still matters, and Prentice and Washington transfer Germie Bernard have far more of it than anyone else. Prentice came off the bench in 2023 but averaged a robust 2.6 yards per route and averaged 17.4 yards over 18 catches. He is the most likely breakout star in the receiving corps, and if he doesn’t break out, Alabama will struggle to clear a top-five bar.”

It goes without saying that Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is the heart and soul of this team. Milroe is the highest returning Heisman vote getter from a season ago and is viewed by many as the best player in college football. ESPN ranks the Crimson Tide signal caller No. 4 on the list saying,

“He throws one of the prettiest deep balls you’ll ever see: He completed 45% of passes thrown at least 25 yards downfield with an average of 44.4 yards per completion and TDs on 57% of completions. Milroe’s ceiling is immense, and his floor is subterranean. Now he’ll suit up for Kalen DeBoer, the guy who helped turn Michael Penix Jr. from a fun but inconsistent player into one of the best quarterbacks in the sport. We don’t yet know if he has the receivers he needs, but Milroe’s ceiling certainly isn’t going to be any lower in 2024.”

For the first time in a long time, it feels like Alabama doesn’t have this massive target on their back and it will be nice to play hunter instead of hunted for once. But don’t be too surprised to see Alabama back in the final four.

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Steelers mock draft update lands Pittsburgh franchise quarterback

Here is our latest mock draft update before the Steelers first preseason game.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a week away from their first preseason game and short of a last-minute trade, will go into the season with the best 53 players of their current 90-man training camp roster. This gives us a solid look at the team’s roster needs for next season.

You pair that up with pending free agents and it’s not hard to put together some preliminary needs for free agency as well as the 2025 NFL draft. Here is out latest updated five-round mock draft for next year that includes a franchise quarterback and an elite interior defensive lineman.

First round – DT Deone Walker, Kentucky

If Walker is on the board, he is too much of a force to pass up.

Second round – QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

We love Milroe’s athleticism and potential and it is highly unlikely Russell Wilson and Justin Fields return for 2025.

Third round – CB Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon

The Steelers are thin at cornerback and Jabbar Muhammad is an athletic marvel who is fearless in coverage.

Fourth round – WR Tory Horton, Colorado State

Huge target with lots of raw talent and upside.

Fifth round – RB Tahj Brooks, Texas A&M

Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both set to hit free agency and Tahj Brooks is a wrecking ball with elite speed.

Fifth round – EDGE Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina

Excellent developmental pass rusher with a short, powerful frame and nice burst.

If the Steelers can land their future starting quarterback and the eventual replacement for Cam Heyward in this draft it would certainly keep this team’s window for playoff success open.

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Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe named to Maxwell Award watchlist

Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Milroe has been named to the Maxwell Award watchlist. Milroe is considered to be one of the top players in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe was recently named to the Maxwell Award watchlist. The award recognizes the best all-around player in college football.

Milroe was one of several bright spots on the Alabama roster a season ago. The native of Katy, Texas persevered after some early struggles and became one of the top quarterbacks in the country. As a redshirt sophomore, Milroe passed for 2,834 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. In addition, Milroe rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns.

As he enters his redshirt junior season in Tuscaloosa, Milroe is already being tabbed as a potential first-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He possesses the necessary skill set to thrive at the college and professional levels.

The fact that Milroe was named to the Maxwell Award watchlist isn’t something that should be taken lightly. It is one of many things that Milroe can place at the forefront of his mind as he looks to lead the Crimson Tide to a national title during the 2024-2025 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program.

Paul Finebaum explains why Alabama is not a national championship team

See why Paul Finebaum thinks Jalen Milroe can win the Heisman, but one problem will hold Alabama back.

The 2024 college football season features numerous changes that will impact the Alabama Crimson Tide. A new coach, a new-look conference, a partially new roster and an expanded College Football Playoff field. ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum breaks down his thoughts on the Tide.

Finebaum explains that starting quarterback Jalen Milroe will be an asset for this team in 2024. He argues that Milroe is already considered a legitimate Heisman candidate before the season already starts. Milroe is not going to hold the team back, according to Finebaum.

Though he believes the Crimson Tide is a team that is fully capable of reaching the College Football Playoffs in the upcoming season, he believes the defensive secondary is the team’s biggest liability. Finebaum states the secondary “is too thin.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Which NFL team would be the best fit for Jalen Milroe?

Jalen Milroe’s 2025 draft profile continues to rise See which team would be the best fit for the Alabama QB.

Heading into the 2024 college football season, one player carries a significant amount of pressure on his shoulders. Returning starting quarterback Jalen Milroe will lead the Alabama Crimson Tide as the team enters a new era with Kalen DeBoer taking over as head coach.

Though he was benched in Week 3 of the 2023 season, Milroe improved every week as the season went on and ultimately finished No. 6 in the final Heisman Trophy voting. Entering the upcoming season, Milroe is considered one of the most impactful quarterbacks in the nation. His abilities have landed him on the 2025 NFL draft radar, with many expecting him to rise up big boards throughout the 2024 college football season.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski recently named a few of the “best fits” for the 2025 draft. These way-too-early pairings are subject to change, but this is just how things stand as both leagues prepare to kick things off.

For Milroe, his best fit would be with the Seattle Seahawks.

“Milroe started slowly after taking over as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback and was even benched at one point,” writes Sobleski. “But he returned to the lineup and played exceptionally well down the stretch, with 17 total touchdowns over the final six games. He’ll need to do the same for an entire season.”

While Milroe’s abilities would render him a good fit for just about any team in the NFL, what makes the Seahawks the best fit? The coaching connections between the 2024 Crimson Tide and the Seattle Seahawks.

“Seattle’s new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, previously served in the same role with the Washington Huskies. Former Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer is in his first year as the Crimson Tide’s head coach. Offensive coordiantor/quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard followed DeBoer from Seattle to Tuscaloosa.

“No professional team will know Milroe more intimately than the Seahawks during next year’s draft cycle.”

Though this is an interesting pairing to consider, a lot will change between now and the 2025 draft. Milroe’s projected draft position will fluctuate greatly throughout the season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.

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Jalen Milroe explains why he chose to stay at Alabama despite changes

Jalen Milroe explains how faith, family and football has guided him to success at Alabama.

When legendary head coach Nick Saban decided to retire from coaching, fans and analysts predicted that the Alabama Crimson Tide roster would crumble, with players entering the transfer portal. While the team did lose a few key contributors, a few noteworthy players chose to stay put.

One of those players is starting quarterback Jalen Milroe. Though he had a rough start to the 2023 season, being benched in Week 3, he returned to his spot as QB1 the following week and improved significantly as the season progressed. Ultimately, he led the team to an SEC championship win, a College Football Playoff appearance and he finished No. 6 in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Today, Milroe joined ESPN’s First Take, where he was asked about why he decided to stick with the program despite one of the biggest coaching changes in the game’s history.

His answer didn’t rely too heavily on football, but rather on his goals when he joined the program and what his future goals are today. He mentioned that he leans on three important pillars: faith, family and football.

Milroe explained that he set out to earn his Bachelor’s degree in three years, which he did this past December. He explained that he is now on a mission to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Alabama in the coming months.

He continues to explain that he relied on faith to guide him to a decision and that he was never truly tempted to leave the program.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Jalen Milroe and Alabama football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Jalen Milroe meets MLB star Aaron Judge weeks before 2024 CFB season

The Crimson Tide QB spent some time with one of baseball’s biggest stars.

SEC media days gives fans, coaches and players the sense that the college football season is right around the corner. The time between then and the start of the season is utilized as a time for teams to work on some last-minute preparations and for players to spend time off the field before getting back into the rigorous grind of the season. Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe had the opportunity to take in a New York Yankees game.

While in New York, Milroe got the chance to be on the field and meet one of the baseball’s biggest stars, Aaron Judge.

Judge seemingly recognized Milroe and the two greeted each other and had a brief conversation before Judge had to leave. While it’s not football-related, Milroe wants to be successful, so he chooses to surround himself with successful pros, like Judge.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Will Alabama’s wide receivers fall flat despite improved offense in 2024?

Can the Crimson Tide WR’s step up in 2024, or will others from around the conference outshine them?

The SEC is a conference loaded with talent all across the football field and on the sidelines. As the game continues to evolve, teams will emphasize certain positions. In 2024, a long list of wide receivers will receive national attention for their skills and abilities. However, it’s been some time since the Alabama Crimson Tide had a group of receivers that turned heads.

When Nick Saban had an offense that consisted of Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and others, it wasn’t easy to name another team that had such a star-studded corps of wide receivers. Since then, Alabama has had a few wide receivers, such as Jameson Williams and John Metchie III, be nationally-recognized named. However, there has lack of flash from the Crimson Tide receivers since then.

Recently, Matt Melton of College Sports Wire broke down five SEC receivers who could lead the conference in receiving yards. While no active players for Alabama made the list, former pass-catcher Isaiah Bond made the list at No. 4. Bond entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and will now play for new conference foe, the Texas Longhorns.

Melton did include an honorable mention list, which featured new Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard, who transferred into the program this season from the Washington Huskies – following head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Though Bernard has the potential to be an impact player for Alabama and receive warranted recognition as a top wide receiver in the SEC, the overall unit is being overlooked.

In 2024, star quarterback Jalen Milroe returns with a motivated mindset and an improved set of skills. His growth throughout the 2023 season cannot be understated, especially considering he went from being benched early in the season to finishing the year ranked No. 6 in the final Heisman Trophy vote. With strong quarterback play comes opportunities for the wide receivers.

Not only will Alabama have Bernard, but the Tide will have Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice returning and the team will have true freshman Ryan Williams on the field.

Sure, it’s a new season with a new-look roster, a coach roaming the sidelines not named Nick Saban and a difficult regular season schedule. However, there is an expectation to perform at the highest possible level every single week in Tuscaloosa, and the roster remains talents and they are led by a coach that has proven he’s capable of winning big-time games.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 college football season approaches.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.