AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide prior to their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
During his freshman year at Alabama, Milroe was the backup to sophomore quarterback Bryce Young throughout the 2021 season. As a result, Milroe was red-shirted.
During the season, he appeared in four games, completing three passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 57 yards on 15 carries.[5] He began the 2022 season as the backup to Bryce Young. In Alabama’s Spring Game, Milroe completed 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.[6]
In his first appearance of the season, he recorded eight completions, 76 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.[7] He would make minor appearances in relief against Louisiana Monroe and Vanderbilt, before taking over as quarterback in week four against Arkansas after an injury to Bryce Young.
Milroe would throw and rush for a touchdown each, leading Alabama to a 49-26 victory.[8] One week later, he would make his first career start against Texas A&M, throwing for three touchdowns and recording three turnovers in a 24-20 win.[9][10]
Milroe during the 2023 SEC Championship Game.
2023
Entering the 2023 season, with the departure of Young, Milroe competed with Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner for Alabama’s starting quarterback job, with Milroe eventually being named the starter.[11]
[12] In week one against Middle Tennessee, Milroe combined for a total of five touchdowns, three passing and two rushing, while throwing for 194 yards on 13 completions, leading Alabama to a 56-7 victory.[13] The following week, Milroe threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 24–34 defeat against No. 11 Texas, his first career loss as a starter
[14] Subsequently, he was demoted as the team’s starting quarterback, with Tyler Buchner being named the starter against USF.[15][16] Heading into Alabama’s SEC opener against Ole Miss the following week, Nick Saban announced that Milroe would be the team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season, after a poor showing from Buchner against USF the prior week.
[17] Against No. 14 LSU, Milroe rushed for a career-high 155 yards and four touchdowns, while also throwing for 219 yards in a 42-28 victory.[18] The following week, Milroe totaled six total touchdowns, three passing and three rushing, leading Alabama to a 49-21 rout of Kentucky.[19][20] Against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Milroe threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond on the fourth and goal from the Auburn 31 yard line with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter.[21] [22] He finished the game throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for an additional 107 yards.[23]
During the 2023 regular season, Milroe led Alabama to a 12-1 record, including an SEC championship. During the 2023 SEC Championship Game, he passed for two touchdowns and 192 yards and was named the game’s MVP in a 27–24 victory over No. 1 Georgia.[24] Milroe finished the year with 23 passing touchdowns, 2,718 passing yards, six interceptions, and twelve rushing touchdowns.[25] Against No. 1 Michigan in the 2024 Rose Bowl, Milroe threw for 116 yards and rushed for an additional 63 yards, as Alabama was defeated by Michigan 20–27 in overtime.[26]
