Jimbo Fisher complimentary of Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

After the USF game, the compliments of the Alabama quarterback room were not flowing. Jalen Milroe did not step up to the plate against Texas, while Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner’s performance will be one fans want to forget. Nick Saban decided to go back to Milroe heading into SEC play, leading to two wins against the Mississippi schools.

Since then, reactions to how Milroe has been playing have been positive. Just ask Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, the next man tasked with slowing him down. Nothing but good things about Mirloe came from Fisher during his Monday press conference.

His arm strength, his ability to run, and his overall athleticism. Consider Fisher impressed.

“I mean, he can throw it,” Fisher said. “His arm is strong as heck. He had two runs last week. One was an RPO, he looked to throw it, didn’t hit, and just scrambled. I mean, 65, 70 yards later, it’s in the end zone. He’s as good of an athlete that’s on their team and there are some phenomenal guys on that team. He’s got power and twitch but man, he can hit it.”

Fisher should be familiar with Milroe dating back to high school. Milroe may have been a former Texas commit but went to Katy (TX) Tompkins High School, an area right in Texas A&M’s backyard. Former offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey was his primary recruiter.

There is also last year’s matchup in Tuscaloosa when Milroe stepped in for Bryce Young. An injured shoulder kept the then-reigning Heisman Trophy winner on the sideline. Milroe was able to get Alabama a win and by a thin margin. But there has been some improvement from the quarterback since then.

Fisher is going to be dealing with a different player in College Station on Saturday afternoon.

Milroe’s numbers have really improved since he was renamed the starter. He has completed 27 of 33 passes for 389 yards, adding a touchdown and an interception — both occurring against Ole Miss. But as Fisher mentioned, the run game is a problem for Texas A&M too. Milroe went for 69 yards and scored two touchdowns against Mississippi State.

If there is an area Fisher will be looking to exploit, it’s Milroe staying in the pocket for too long. Alabama has given up eight sacks against SEC opponents. Texas A&M, on the other hand, has recorded 15. Not letting receivers get open and containing Milroe will be how the Aggies pull off another Kyle Field upset against the Crimson Tide.