Kalen DeBoer on Jalen Milroe's leadership qualities: 'You're never going to question those'

New Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer inherited a talented quarterback in Jalen Milroe for his first season in Tuscaloosa.

One of the most important things that Milroe brings is a leadership that DeBoer said on a recent appearance on Always College Football that you’re not going to question. It’s a trait that DeBoer made to praise amid the staff turnover.

“So Jalen, with what he did at the end of the season is what’s really impressive,” Kalen DeBoer said. “And building on that, even though yes, new system, new verbiage, things like that, building on that experience, I think, and him now learning from it and knowing the areas where he just needs to continue to improve. He’s been amazing in that way.”

The reality is that Kalen DeBoer has not had a long time to work with the Crimson Tide, only arriving after last year’s College Football Playoff. Still, in that time, Jalen Milroe has done everything he’d want to see from him.

“And I thought he had a great spring. 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,” DeBoer said.

“And 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.”

This praise for Jalen Milroe comes after he had an up-and-down season as the starting quarterback at Alabama. He did lead the Crimson Tide to the CFP and Alabama won the SEC Championship. At the same time, he was also benched ahead of the USF game.

“I watched the SEC Championship a number of times and just some things that were happening at the end of the year,” DeBoer said. “And it gives you a lot of excitement and hope going into the Fall.”

Kalen DeBoer also praised the quarterback room as a whole, with players like Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and Austin Mack showing a lot of talent and buy-in to the new coaching staff at Alabama.

What Kalen DeBoer wants to see from Jalen Milroe this summer

Jalen Milroe has proven to be a talented quarterback, but there’s still room for him to improve. With that in mind, Kalen DeBoer shared what he wants to see Milroe do over the summer.

“He really came a long ways in processing, playing the game, moving the chains. So, just when he hits fall camp, I think just having 100 percent confidence in every concept we put in, especially in the first week or two that he’s had rep after rep after rep and can not just execute but also run the whole show,” DeBoer said.

“Just telling every guy what their responsibility is. And so it goes beyond your position, it goes on to leading the rest of the offense.”