CJ Dippre outlines Jalen Milroe's improvement entering 2024

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has his teammates’ confidence. On Wednesday, Alabama tight end CJ Dippre revealed how Milroe has improved during the offseason.

“Jalen definitely works hard,” Dippre said. “I went down to Tampa with him, me and a few guys and we trained. Just having another connection on another level — we definitely became closer to a lot of other players on the offense.

“We got new transfers in, new freshmen in that’ll play. So, he’s taking big steps in the role that he wants to become a better passer, not just a running quarterback.”

Milroe didn’t hesitate to rely on his wheels from time to time last season. In the 2023 campaign, Milroe amassed 531 yards and 12 touchdowns in the ground game. Of course, Milroe was more than his rushing attack.

He also tallied 2,718 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. Further, Milroe posted a 172.2 passer efficiency rating, the second-highest rating in the SEC and fifth-best in the country.

For his efforts, Milroe was named an All-SEC Second-Team selection by the Associated Press and was a finalist for the Manning Award and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. Milroe’s teammates aren’t the only ones who expect great things from Milroe this fall.

Kalen DeBoer praises Jalen Milroe’s offseason growth

Earlier this offseason, first-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer pulled back the curtain on Milroe’s offseason development.

“He had a great spring,” DeBoer said. “Progressively getting better. He’s had a great summer to this point. His leadership, his character traits, all those things, you’re never going to question those just because it’s who he is.

“He’s putting himself out there more and more with the team. He holds himself accountable to a high level, therefore he’s able to hold his teammates and he’s been that guy. I’m proud of him. He’s weathered the storms with the transition here and just done a great job.”

The SEC media named Jalen Milroe a member of the preseason All-SEC Third-Team, with Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck filling the quarterback slots on the second and third team, respectively.

Milroe and his Crimson Tide won’t face off against either of the competing QBs during the regular season but will likely face one of the two if they can reach the SEC Championship.

Alabama will kick off its 2024 campaign against Western Kentucky on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.