Greg McElroy: Jalen Milroe progressing well in new Alabama offensive identity

The quarterback situation at Alabama remains a hot topic of conversation through spring football. The focus is on Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, and former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy said Milroe is progressing well after an up-and-down 2022 season.

McElroy joined The Hard Count with On3’s J.D. PicKell and updated the competition between Milroe and Simpson. He pointed out Milroe’s progress in his answer after a rough go in eight games in 2022. While filling in for Bryce Young, Milroe threw for 297 yards, rushed for 263 yards and had six total touchdowns. However, he threw three interceptions and fumbled three times while rushing, and those turnovers were a question mark entering the spring.

Through spring ball, though, McElroy said Milroe is progressing well.

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“I think in order to first understand the quarterback competition, we must first look at the offensive identity that they’re going to lean on and what their points of emphasis will be,” McElroy said. “Now, based on all accounts, Jalen Milroe’s taken a lot of really nice strides forward this spring. I would say because of his athleticism and knowing how many off-schedule plays have occurred not just for Alabama, but across college football, that athleticism, that explosiveness, being arguably the most gifted guy with the ball in his hands on the entire roster, that would go a long way in allowing him to keep hold of that starting quarterback job.

“But there are issues, because sometimes, when you let someone down and you have a disappointing performance as it relates to ball security, those are difficult things to forget and that’s a difficult narrative to adjust. That was clearly something he struggled with last year. … I think that is going to be a difficult thing for him to shake, but his athleticism I think does give him an advantage over Ty Simpson knowing that if a play breaks down, he can still potentially take it the distance.”

Milroe started a few games in Young’s absence last season after he suffered a shoulder injury, but Simpson also appeared in four games as a true freshman and completed 4 of 5 passes for 35 yards. With Alabama’s A-Day spring game coming up soon, all eyes will be on the two of them the rest of the spring.

Nick Saban provided an update on the competition March 29 in an interview with ESPN’s Heather Dinich. He said although both players have talent, development and winning will be two keys to becoming QB1.

“Well, both of the guys are working hard,” Saban said. “The most important thing is that they can stay focused on what they need to do to improve their ability to play winning football at the position.

“Which, is an important position because they distribute the ball to someone every play. So, it’s an important position. They’re both guys that have talent and we just have to try to help them develop and focus on the things they need to do to play winning football.”