Paul Finebaum addresses the possibility of Jalen Milroe being Alabama's starting quarterback
Despite new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees bringing in Tyler Buchner as a transfer from Notre Dame, there has been growing momentum for Jalen Milroe to become Alabama’s next starting quarterback.
During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum broke down the possibility that Jalen Milroe could be Alabama’s starting quarterback.
“Not as much [surprised] today as I would the day that Buchner showed up from Notre Dame,” Finebaum said. “I just could not believe that he was coming down to play with his former coach, even though his former coach turned on him, without some wink and a nod.”
Tyler Buchner started 2022 as the starter at Notre Dame, but missed most of the season due to a shoulder injury. When Notre Dame brought in Sam Hartman as a transfer quarterback, he soon entered the portal too.
“But, Greg [McElroy], I’ll defer to you if there’s ever such a thing as a wink and a nod in a Nick Saban operation, probably not, and now it does seem that way.”
Jalen Milroe has appeared in 12 games over the last two seasons for Alabama, acting as the backup quarterback for Bryce Young. In that limited time, he’s completed 56.7% of passes for 338 and has six touchdowns. Milroe is also a dual threat, rushing for 320 yards on 46 carries.
“There was a reporter who had picked up some intel, if there is such a thing, about Milroe working with wide receivers, I believe down in Tampa, which is smart by him. I give him credit,” Finebaum said.
“But I don’t know because I think we’re probably still a considerable period away from that but this is an important time right now in June and I think that, at least based on what people that cover the team are saying, he seems to be coming back. But what you’re doing in Tampa in shorts is considerably different than what’s going to be happening on the field two months from now in Tuscaloosa.”
Coming out of high school, Jalen Milroe was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2021. He was the 13th-ranked quarterback in that class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.
Nick Saban on having five quarterbacks on the roster
This year Nick Saban is juggling having five quarterbacks on a roster that doesn’t have a clear and obvious starter. As he explained, it’s a difficult thing to manage.
“You know, I think we’ll have to get well organized in terms of how we distribute reps. It’s good to have competition on your team and hopefully the competition will make everybody better,” Saban said.
“I think everything’s important. You know, we’ve done zooms with our team. All the coaches are on the road. You know, some of the other folks in the organization have tried to do zooms with guys so that we can review what we did in the spring, but the new guys can actually start to try to make some progress too. Always trying to figure out how can we teach better? How can guys learn better? And every individual may learn differently. But those are all things that are important in the spring, now, and this summer will be especially important to all the new guys and the young players on our team.”