Dan Mullen firmly declares Jalen Milroe as Alabama's quarterback for 2023

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe impressed in the Crimson Tide’s season-opening win versus Middle Tennessee. While it is far from the toughest opponent Alabama will face on its schedule this season, former SEC head coach and current ESPN analyst Dan Mullen saw all he needed to during the game to make a declaration about Milroe.

When asked ahead of Monday’s primetime matchup between Clemson and Duke on ESPN about whether Alabama has its next great quarterback, Mullen didn’t hesitate to give his opinion.

“Yes they have,” Mullen said. “Jalen Milroe came out and his ability to run the ball, his ability to beat you with his legs and if you do that, he is going to get such advantageous looks in the pass game. He showed he has the arm to make the throws down the field. I think we are going to see a little bit different old school Nick Saban offense, running the ball between the tackles, physical football, playing defense and I think they have their quarterback for this year.”

Milroe was 13 of 18 throwing the football for 194 yards with three touchdown passes. He also added 48 yards on the ground with two more scores.

That ability to run the ball, and Milroe’s skills with the ball tucked in his arms, is a gamechanger for the Crimson Tide offense. Mullen hasn’t been the only one to say so either in the days since Alabama’s victory.

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, for one, highlighted how important Milroe’s running ability can be for the offense.

“He’s a threat to pull the ball on his own plays, which he scored a touchdown on that. And I thought he threw the ball effectively,” Saban said. “So I thought he played well. … I think as he continues to develop and gain experience he’s going to play better and better. But I thought he played well tonight.”

A bigger challenge for Milroe and the team will come in Tusacaloosa, Ala., this weekend in the form of Texas. Saban wasn’t willing to make any predictions about what could happen this weekend.

“I don’t really know. I mean, I love him. I think he’s doing well. He’s working hard to try and improve. He’s a good competitor. He’s doing everything he can to play his best. But this is a Coke bottle, it’s not a crystal ball. It’s hard to know,” Saban said, grabbing the bottle of Coke that traditionally sits on his press conference podium.”