Explaining intrigue around Jalen Milroe's fit in Alabama offense

The Alabama Crimson Tide are going to have a new look in 2024, with Kalen DeBoer coaching the team instead of Nick Saban. However, one thing that’s set to stay the same is the starting quarterback, Jalen Milroe.

DeBoer, being a coach known for his offenses, makes for an interesting relationship between him and Milroe. It’s one that On3’s Andy Staples explained is intriguing to him during an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show.

“I wanna see what Jalen Milroe looks like in Kalen DeBoer’s offense,” Staples said. “Because it’s not what they were doing before at Alabama. It’s interesting because Jalen Milroe had been in a couple of offenses at Alabama, even though it was the Alabama offense.”

Jalen Milroe has seen plenty of change during his time at Alabama. That includes three offensive coordinators in as many seasons. However, while Nick Saban was there, there were aspects of the offense that stayed the same. That isn’t the case now.

“What would happen is they keep the same offense, and then whoever was the coordinator would kind of call their flavor of it. So, he had the Bill O’Brien flavor, and then he had the Tommy Rees flavor, but Kalen DeBoer’s is a completely different system. So how does — does Kalen DeBoer adjust what he does to fit what Jalen Milroe does well? And what does Jalen Milroe look like in that offense?”

In 2023, Milroe showed how much he had grown as a quarterback. From being benched against USF to leading Alabama to the Rose Bowl and the College Football Playoff, it was an incredible turnaround. There’s talent around him, but how he fits into the new offense matters.

“Because I do think they’ve got some really exciting pieces there. I think Justice Haynes is gonna be a star at tailback. The freshman, Caleb Odom, is a guy I know they’re really excited about. He came in there as a tight end, the 6’5, 220 and he’s running so fast. They’re like, ‘Nah, nah. You’re a receiver.’ So I think the folks at Alabama are going to be pretty excited to see what the what the offense looks like.”

Jalen Milroe describes his chemistry with new Alabama OC Nick Sheridan

With Spring practice in full swing, Jalen Milroe recently explained his chemistry with new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.

“With my time of playing football, this is a special moment for me because Coach Sheridan truly believes in me, and he speaks that every single day. No matter if I make 10,000 passing attempts are completed, whether I miss a ball, he’s saying how proud he is of me and he comes with positive reinforcement behind the coaching,” Milroe said.

“So this is a special moment for me because of who he is as a person.”