As Alabama football gears up for its national semifinal game against Michigan on Monday, quarterback Jalen Milroe is at the center of attention for the Crimson Tide.
After questions about whether he could lead Alabama to championship glory this season, Milroe played spectacularly in November and put the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game. Milroe threw two touchdown passes in the game as Alabama came out victorious 27-24, booking its ticket in the College Football Playoff.
Speaking with the media on Thursday ahead of the Rose Bowl, Milroe reflected on being doubted throughout his college career, including by his coaches.
“Shoot, all my life, even while I was in college. My own offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien told me not to play quarterback. That's something I have motivation from,” Milroe said, via Chris McCulley.
“How would you feel if I told you that you sucked? That's exactly how I felt. The biggest thing for me was being true to myself and staying the same. Nothing changed about me. Only thing that changed was I had an opportunity and I seized it.”
Jalen Milroe's 2023
Milroe was in a battle for Alabama's starting QB job throughout the summer and wasn’t announced as the starter until shortly before the season opener. Despite calls to remove him from under center – which Alabama did for its Week 3 game against South Florida – Milroe started 12 of the Crimson Tide's 13 games this season.
He was sensational in the second half of the season and snuck into the Heisman Trophy race in November. Though he did not end up as a finalist, he finished sixth in voting. Across his last six games, Milroe threw 12 touchdown passes to just two interceptions and rushed for seven more scores, including four against LSU.
There was doubt that Milroe was Alabama's best option in September. As January approaches – and with it a potential seventh national title in 15 years – there is little doubt that Jalen Milroe is the guy to lead the Crimson Tide into battle in the College Football Playoff.
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