Urban Meyer lists three areas Jalen Milroe must improve immediately for Alabama success
Urban Meyer took some time to evaluate Jalen Milroe’s play in 2024, listed three areas the Alabama quarterback could improve moving forward to lead the Crimson Tide to greater success.
While Meyer believes Milroe is on the right track with Kalen DeBoer leading the way, there’s always room to get better. Some specific areas have stood out to the former coach, like Milroe becoming a general of the field, trusting the pocket and learning to get through a progression.
“Jalen Milroe is transitioning from a running quarterback, which primarily relies on his feet, to a quarterback, a complete quarterback,” Meyer started. “Last year, he got benched, and then he went on to be the SEC Championship Player of the Game. … Last year when I watched him, I thought he was Reggie Bush, Percy Harvin, playing quarterback. He is, without a doubt, one of the top five best athletes in college football. … So I talked to Kalen DeBoer this week. He taught Michael Penix to be one of the most efficient, best passers in all of college football. We talked about the three areas that Jalen has to work on.
“No. 1, he’s got to become a general on the field. That means he’s got to be able to check plays, not always look at the sideline. He’s got to check protections. It didn’t look like he did that last week, he has to improve. No. 2, he’s got to trust the pocket. Great athletes have a tendency to bail the pocket, because they’ve done that their entire career. They feel pressured, they’ve got to step up at times, take it and deliver the ball.
Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW
“… No. 3 is, as you develop a quarterback, I think the most important piece of a quarterback is learning to get through a progression. One, two, three, sometimes four, and the art of the check down, you have a great athlete, get him the ball. … Check the ball down, live to see another day, get the first down.”
As you can tell, Meyer believes Milroe’s athletic ability make him a special quarterback, and the former head coach knows all about cultivating talent from signal-callers who are more athlete than quarterback at the moment. Just look at his track record, which includes, Tim Tebow, Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett.
Jalen Milroe has immense potential, and he’s shown it on occasion, but he needs to ramp up the consistency, and Urban Meyer is keeping a watchful eye as Kalen DeBoer looks to bring the best out of the Crimson Tide star.