Jalen Milroe admits Texas 'dropped the ball' in recruitment

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe admitted Texas dropped the ball during his recruitment and he ultimately chose Alabama as his destination.

Milroe was big into his future, not just worrying about what was right in front of him. Ultimately, the best decision for him as a football player and student to be successful in life was Alabama.

Milroe was committed to Texas for two years, so he was asked by the Bussin With the Boys crew if the Longhorns “dropped the ball.”

“Yeah they did,” Milroe said. “There (were) some things during the process that (that I looked at and said for my future), I think Alabama would be best.”

Milroe was the Class of 2021, which ended up being current coach Steve Sarkisian’s first year. Sarkisian had just left Alabama as the offensive coordinator to become the head coach of the Longhorns.

Milroe originally committed to Texas when Tom Herman was the head coach.

Safe to say, the recruiting process was about to get very interesting.

“During the process, initially, you know the biggest thing … you know, what is the best decision for yourself and your family,” Milroe said. “Texas was an option and it was an option staying close to home which is Houston, staying there. And I was committed to Texas for two years. And the biggest thing I had to get out of my way was setting up the next 40 years of my life not not just worried about the present. 

“But looking at the future and when it came to it, everyone wants to sell you the dream. (You come here), we’re gonna develop you and we want to put you in position to do this. But like, not the hard questions are how you gonna set me up to provide for my family one day?”

That’s when Milroe revealed Nick Saban called him to try and convince him to come to Tuscaloosa.

“Coach Saban, you know, so during the process … I was committed to Texas, but I was taking calls, I was answering people and coach Saban was one of them,” Milroe said. “But one thing that stood out to me was … we FaceTime and whatever and he told me ‘Hey, like, during the draft, when Tua gets selected, I’m gonna call you.’ I’m like ‘he ain’t gonna call me.’ 

“So with whatever pick, Saban called me and said, ‘Hey, you come here, this’ll be you …in the next five to six years.’ So I’m committed. There’s no question, I’m committing … He’s at the draft.”

Milroe eventually turned that commitment into a starting gig last fall, leading Alabama to an SEC title and the College Football Playoff. Returning in 2024 as a Heisman candidate under new coach Kalen DeBoer, he could have quite the finale in his college career.

While Milroe and Alabama lost to Texas last season, they don’t play each other this year. Unless of course, there’s an SEC Championship on the line.