2025 NFL Draft: Jalen Milroe draws Tyrod Taylor comparisons from Cody Kessler

Former USC QB Cody Kessler compared Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to Tyrod Taylor ahead of the NFL Draft.

Milroe has a lot of highs and a lot of lows, as far as his evaluation is concerned. Think of Jekyll and Hyde when it comes to Milroe after watching him over the last two seasons at Alabama.

Kessler joined Good Morning Football to discuss what he sees in Milroe going into his pro career.

“The arm talent is there,” Kessler said. “I think he has a high ceiling. He can absolutely develop with the team. Now we go to comparisons … I like Tyrod Taylor as his comparison. And the reason I say that is because when you go look at and you can go back and look at Tyrod Taylor, if you look at their report when they were coming out of college, going to the NFL, Tyrod’s said rocket arm, can make all the throws. Has potential to be a big time starter, just too many throws where he’s not consistent. And that starts with his feet.” 

Over the course of his college career, Milroe had 6,016 yards, 45 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, a 64.3% completion percentage, 1,577 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. As far as Taylor is concerned, while at Virginia Tech, he had 7,017 yards, 44 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, a 57.2% completion percentage, 2,196 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

“That’s where I’m at with Jalen Milroe,” Kessler said. “When you watch his tape, he’s too quick to go from his first read and then he gets a little bit of happy feet and starts looking around and then he’s off balance and off target with his throws … I see a great comparison. When it comes to rushing stats in college too. Tyrod ran for 2,000 yards, Jalen Milroe 1,500. Both had more than 22 touchdowns.”

Milroe is just fine with being a little underrated or counted out. He made it clear at the Scouting Combine.

“I’m cool with being underrated,” Milroe said Friday, according to AL.com. “I’ve played in the hardest conference in the country, I’ve played against the No. 1 team in the country, the No. 1 defense in the country. So, if I lacked knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to win big games.”

Amid an up-and-down 2024 in his second season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback, Milroe repeatedly faced criticism from fans and media alike for perceived struggles with his in-game decision-making and properly reading defensive coverages.