Jimbo Fisher recalls recruiting Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

When No. 1 Alabama and Texas A&M square off on Saturday there will be more than a little familiarity between the two programs. Coaches Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher once worked together at LSU and both have recruited many of the same players in the SEC West’s footprint, including Alabama backup quarterback Jalen Milroe.

As things stand, it’s unclear whether 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, who suffered an AC sprain in his shoulder on Saturday, will start for the Crimson Tide. Milroe played in his stead after Young left a win over Arkansas in the second quarter, proving quite capable in his own right.

Fisher recruited Milroe, so he’s not anticipating much of a step down from Young in the event the Alabama starter can’t go.

“Very athletic, strong, has a strong arm, can throw the heck out of it,” Fisher said. “Came to our camp, great body, great competitor. I mean did a heck of a job in camp. He was a guy we were recruiting at the time. I’m trying to think, how many years has he been there?”

Milroe is a redshirt freshman, having joined Alabama in the 2021 signing class. He was ranked as the No. 90 overall player in that class, according to the On3 Consensus Recruiting Rankings.

Fisher recalled the recruiting process in that cycle, which saw Texas A&M land four-star gunslinger Eli Stowers, rated as the No. 204 overall player in the class.

“Stowers and that group. They were all in camp together, yeah,” Fisher said, reminiscing. “I’m just trying to remember what year it was, but he was here. Outstanding athlete. Stowers had committed to us, I think, first and then he went to Alabama, I believe. Just an outstanding player — athletic, strong, throw it a mile. I mean, hit what he throws at, very accurate that way and then tremendous athlete.”

Familiar from recruiting process, Jimbo Fisher praises Jalen Milroe

Fisher had nothing but complimentary things to say about Milroe, who led Alabama to a 49-26 win over ranked Arkansas over the weekend after taking over for Young.

Saban is playing his cards close to his chest, though, ranting Monday about how he doesn’t plan to reveal anything at quarterback prior to Saturday’s showdown.

Given a heated offseason exchange between Fisher and Saban over NIL and recruiting, that doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

But neither will Milroe’s ability for Fisher.

“We were recruiting him. Oh yeah, we were recruiting him,” Fisher said. “We were definitely recruiting him.”

In four games this season, Milroe has gone 16-of-27 passing for 151 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He has also run 12 times for 163 yards and a score, and it was a 77-yard scamper against the Razorbacks that help the Crimson Tide reset the tone of the game following Young’s departure.

He can certainly make you pay if afforded an opportunity.

Texas A&M and Alabama will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in a game nationally broadcast on CBS.