Jalen Milroe expresses appreciation for earning postseason accolades

The conclusion of the college football season is quickly followed by award season, as players across the country are recognized for their strong performances throughout the year.

Whether it’s earning All-Conference or All-American honors or taking home a Heisman Trophy or the Lou Groza Award, it’s nice seeing players receive their flowers and get their recognition. But every team also has their own individual awards banquets where players within a program are recognized on a more personal level.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was recognized nationally throughout the season for his exploits on the field, but at Alabama’s Annual Awards Banquet he also took home his fair share of hardware. Milroe was named a permanent team captain alongside Malachi Moore and Dallas Turner, but also took home the Most Valuable Player Award, Offensive Player of the Year Award, and was named the team’s Most Inspiring Player.

Ahead of the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff matchup versus Michigan, Milroe reflected on the recognition he received from his peers earlier this month.

“With all that, I take a lot of pride in that, very appreciative to be seen as that,” Milroe said. “But with anything I try to play for my brothers in the locker room, and I try to play for these coaches, and I try to play for the A, and I try to do it as best as I can.”

Milroe was the epitome of improvement this season, named the team’s starting quarterback heading into conference play following the first three weeks of the season filled with quarterback controversy and offensive struggles.

He ended the year as one of the nation’s elite dual-threat quarterbacks leading the Crimson Tide to a perfect record against SEC competition capped off with an SEC Championship win over Georgia, snapping the Bulldogs’ 29-game winning streak. Milroe finished the season with 2,718 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while also contributing 468 yards on the ground and 12 rushing scores on the season.

“So it’s a true honor to have all those accolades with everything, now I just have to take it another step and really just be the best version of myself every single day coming into the facility,” Milroe said.

Milroe has the chance to keep building on his legacy this season and beyond, announcing that he’ll be returning to Alabama for the 2024 season. But this season isn’t over for Milroe or the Crimson Tide, as he’ll look to lead them to a national championship birth on New Year’s Day as they take on Michigan in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl in a matchup kicking off at 5:00 p.m. on ESPN.