Jalen Milroe opens up on what Kalen DeBoer has brought to Alabama

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer will likely continue hearing about the big shoes he has to fill in Tuscaloosa as he now serves as the predecessor of who most deem as the best coach in college football history following the retirement of Nick Saban.

But apparently, DeBoer is already making an early impact and a good impression in his few weeks with the Crimson Tide program. With quarterback Jalen Milroe speaking about what it’s been like with DeBoer at his Youth Football Camp over the weekend in Hillcrest, Alabama.

“It’s been great, it’s been great to have him here with the transition, it’s been big having him here and all that he’s done,” Milroe said. “He’s very personable and he’s bringing good energy to the locker room so we’re all excited to have him here.”

DeBoer has done nothing but win during his career as a college head coach, boasting an impressive 104-12 record between his time with Sioux Falls, Fresno State, and Washington. Most recently leading Washington to an 11-2 season in his first year at the helm in Seattle which he followed with a 14-1 season last year with the Huskies’ only loss coming in the national championship game.

Washington was a four-win team the season before DeBoer’s arrival, and there’s no question he’ll have a much stronger foundation to work with following’s Saban unprecedented 17 years with the Crimson Tide. As Milroe was also asked if he was excited about DeBoer’s offensive system that has been one of the nation’s best attacks in the country the past two seasons.

“No doubt, and so the biggest thing for a football team is you want to improve and get better the next season. So we’re in that process right now with trying to be the best version of ourselves each and every day we go into the facility. So we’re gonna do a lot of good things this year and I’m super excited to have him here,” Milroe concluded.

In the last two seasons under DeBoer, Washington boasted the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked passing offenses in yards per game through the air, also averaging over 35 points per game in consecutive years.

His last quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was a Heisman Trophy finalist in December, and with Milroe currently in a three-way tie for the best odds to take home the Heisman Trophy at +750 in 2024, many are excited to see what dual-threat weapon and the proven offensive mastermind will accomplish together next season.