Jalen Milroe declines to say if he's declaring for NFL Draft, returning to Alabama in 2025

Following the conclusion of Alabama’s season with a loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday, Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe declined to say if he’ll return to college in 2025 or head to the NFL Draft.

Milroe said he’s prioritizing soaking in the current moment after Alabama’s season ended with a 19-13 loss to the Wolverines. It’s the second loss to Michigan for Alabama in 2024.

“Right now I’m just going to try to soak up this moment today. Not really trying to focus on any future endeavors,” Milroe said.

Milroe, after redshirting in 2021, has one remaining year of eligibility. He’s been the starter for the past two seasons at Alabama, guiding the Crimson Tide to an SEC title and the College Football Playoff in 2023.

Milroe has been a mixed bag in 2024, with results later in the season starting to sag. Two of his worst performances of the season came in Alabama’s final three games, losses to Oklahoma and the Wolverines. His collection of physical tools and athletic profile will make him an intriguing prospect should he declare, but there’s are also clear shortcomings that NFL teams would need to address.

But for now, Milroe is taking a beat to consider the moment and what might be next in his football career.

Kalen DeBoer discussed not benching Milroe against Michigan despite turnovers

Milroe accounting for four turnovers — two lost fumbles, an interception and a fourth-down sack that led to a turnover on downs — all in the span of five plays as the Wolverines built an early 16-0 lead in game’s first 13 minutes.The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard

Despite those early issues, DeBoer never contemplated sitting Milroe down and playing sophomore Alabama backup quarterback Ty Simpson.

“No, I didn’t,” DeBoer said Tuesday following Michigan’s 19-13 win inside Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, per The Next Round Live. “I just felt like, there were still things he did (well), like we scored a field goal. With him using his legs, we went 95-plus yards in less than a minute. So just that factor and what we needed with him and his mobility added to the run game, I felt like that was the swap right there.”