Charles Barkley has high praise for Alabama's Jalen Milroe amid breakout season

Charles Barkley doesn’t try to hide the fact that he is a huge Auburn supporter, but Barkley is also a big believer in giving credit where it is due. When it comes to Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Barkley has nothing but positive things to say about him and his family.

Barkley loves the way Milroe handled himself this season after being benched early in the year.

“About eight weeks ago, he got benched. And I watched him before the game, he was jumping around, cheering on the other quarterbacks, showing great energy. And he didn’t complain. He just was trying to be a good teammate,” Charles Barkley told The Next Round.

“And then when coach [Nick] Saban said, ‘You know what, I tried it that other way. I’m going back to this kid. We’re going to do what he does best.’ And [Milroe] just thrived. And if you can’t appreciate that – a fan should appreciate it. But as a player, you really appreciate it. Because sometimes when guys get benched, they become selfish. And then when it’s their turn again, time and time again, they’re not ready.”

“I want to tell his mom and dad what a good young man they raised.
8 weeks ago he got benched. I watched him before the game and he was jumping around, cheering on the other QBs, showing great energy. He didn’t complain, he was just trying to be a good teammate…I’m really proud… pic.twitter.com/e4VIHvzfQS

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 1, 2023

Jalen Milroe was certainly ready for his second chance.

The sophomore has led the Crimson Tide to nine straight victories entering Saturday’s SEC Championship Game against Georgia. Milroe has made plenty of big plays along the way, while keeping Alabama’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Barkley gives credit to Milroe’s parents and the way he was raised for the way he responded to adversity this season.

“You know, I really wanted to meet him. I didn’t get a chance. I really want to meet his parents, because I heard some stuff about them,” Barkley said. “I think they both were in the service. And you know how much respect I have for, No. 1 teachers, but also anybody who’s in the service. I admire teachers, anybody who’s in the service. And I want to tell his mom and dad what a good young man they raised.”

After an inconsistent start to the season, Milroe enters the SEC title game with more than 2,500 passing yards and 21 passing touchdowns, to go along with 439 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores.

Barkley is extremely impressed with the way Milroe has grown as a player since early on this season.

“That kid, man. I’m really proud of him. And I’m really proud of him as a player, because I’m always going to be a player first. I mean obviously I’m a fan now, but all of my thoughts are always going to be like, ‘What would I do as a player?’” Barkley said. “For him to get off the ground… I mean because think about it, after the first couple of games, nobody in Alabama wanted him to be the quarterback. And he was struggling, that’s part of it. But when he got benched, he came out and was a good teammate. And then coach Saban made the decision, ‘You know what? He’s the best we’ve got. Let’s make this work.’

And the rest is history. And you’ve gotta give him a lot of credit. You’ve got to get the offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, a lot of credit. But man, I’m really proud of that young guy.”