Alabama’s Jalen Milroe has won the AP national player of the week. The budding superstar was also named the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week and the Co-SEC Offensive Player of the Week. These accolades come after Alabama destroyed Wisconsin 42-10 on Saturday. Milroe was 12 of 17 for 196 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also led the Crimson Tide in rushing with 14 carries for 75 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Five total touchdowns mean he had as many touchdowns as incompletions on the day.
Early Career Struggles
Jalen is ascending to superstardom right before our very eyes. The redshirt junior has the size and speed to be a game-breaker. Milroe is listed at 6’2 225 pounds, which means he’s basically Lamar Jackson except 20 pounds heavier. With those measurements and skillset, it seems like his ascension was inevitable. But the success seems more improbable when you remember his struggles passing the ball during his redshirt freshman year. It got to the point that people even thought he should move to wide receiver to at least take advantage of his athleticism.
2023 Improvement
In 2023, Milroe showed improvement but still wasn’t at this level of dominance. He had an excellent season throwing for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He added 531 rushing yards and 12 more touchdowns. Most years, stats like that win you the Heisman. But instead, there was still doubt around Milroe. A week-two loss to Texas and close games against unranked teams had Alabama outside the college football playoff. It came down to a must-win Iron Bowl game against Auburn. Milroe made the play of the game and arguably the year on a 4th and goal from the 31 yard-line. Milroe made a miraculous throw to Isiah Bond in the corner of the end-zone for the game-winning touchdown. Alabama’s jubilation and run was eventually snuffed out by Michigan in the semi-finals at the Rose Bowl. Down seven, Milroe was stuffed running up the gut on fourth down to end the game and the Crimson Tide’s season.
Budding Superstar
So far this season, Milroe has taken it to another level. This week he became the first player with multiple passing and rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games since 2012. His stats have already vastly improved in only three weeks. His completion percentage is up from 65.8% to 67.3%. He’s on pace to rush for 676 yards, 145 more than last year. He has 14 total touchdowns putting him on pace for over 60 touchdowns, 15 more than last year. His yards per pass attempt have jumped from 10.0 to 11.3 and he has yet to throw an interception.
Becoming a Favorite
Milroe has become the most exciting player in college football and, since Quinn Ewers’ injury, the best quarterback in the SEC. His +600 Heisman odds are currently tied for second with SEC and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. Both are behind Miami’s Cam Ward who leads the odds at +450. At this pace, Milroe is on track to become a high pick in the 2025 NFL draft. But until then, he will be leading 3rd-ranked Alabama with high hopes of a National Championship.
