Roster countdown: 4 Milroe; 3 Burton; 3 Arnold

Counting down the Alabama roster three players at a time. Next up for the 2023 series: quarterback Jalen Milroe; wide receiver Jermaine Burton; and defensive back Terrion Arnold.

4 QB Jalen Milroe

2022: As a redshirt freshman, Milroe appeared in eight games. On the season, he completed 31 of 53 passes (58.5 percent) for 297 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions. Milroe also rushed 31 times for 263 yards (8.5 yards per carry) and another score. In his lone start, a 24-20 win over Texas A&M, Milroe passed for 111 yards and rushed for 81 more. He threw three touchdown passes against the Aggies while also committing three turnovers (interception, two fumbles).

Of note: Milroe headed into 2023 spring drills as the favorite to follow Bryce Young behind center. In the A-Day game, he completed 19 of 37 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns with a pair of interceptions. Milroe also had a 35-yard scoring run in the scrimmage.

In terms of upside and concerns where Milroe’s candidacy is concerned, A-Day offered a little bit of everything. There were explosive plays as a passer and runner, turnovers (one on an ill-fated heave from his own end zone and the other on a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half) and stretches of inaccuracy from the pocket (he was also victimized by multiple drops).

As game week approaches, Milroe appears to be in position to take the opening snap against Middle Tennessee. In an offense that will incorporate the quarterback into the run game, Milroe’s skill melds nicely with the approach.

No one questions whether the Texan can strike for chunk plays. Instead, his ability to keep turnovers to a minimum while operating the offense in an efficient manner is what will determine his viability as the long-term successor to Young.

3 WR Jermaine Burton

2022: In his first season with the Crimson Tide, the Georgia transfer caught 40 passes for a team-best 677 yards and seven touchdowns. Lone 100-yard receiving performance came in 34-0 win over Austin Peay.

Of note: Burton heads into his final season at UA looking to prove he’s WR1 worthy. While he was on the receiving end of two passes for 66 yards in the A-Day game, he, too, came up short on a couple of catchable balls from Ty Simpson. Attention to detail and continued polish in every aspect of receiver play — route running, blocking, catch consistency, etc … — ranked atop Burton’s to-do list for the off-season. Feedback from his head coach of late has pointed to improvement in those areas.

3 DB Terrion Arnold

2022: After a redshirt season, Arnold saw action in 11 games, making seven starts. Recorded 45 tackles, eight pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery. Arnold picked up Freshman All-America (FWAA) and Freshman All-SEC (coaches) honors at season’s end.

Of note: Arnold went wire-to-wire in the spring as the starter opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry. In the A-Day game, Arnold posted five solo tackles and an interception. When it was over, he also picked up the Bobby Johns Defensive Back Award. Even when he did give up the rare reception in the scrimmage, Arnold was in good position. The summer addition of Louisiana transfer Trey Amos beefed up competition at corner. It also increased the possibility of Arnold seeing time at the star position. Expect both players to prove important before the 2023 season comes to an end.

Previous:

8 Smith; 7 Brooks; 5 Williams
11 Story; 11 Benson; 10 Holstein
13 Adams; 12 Kite; 12 Lonergan
15 Turner; 15 Simpson; 13 Moore
17 Bond; 16 Reichard; 16 Hamilton
18 Preston; 18 Hubbard; 17 Marshall
20 Little; 19 Law; 19 Koht
24 Henderson; 22 Haynes; 21 Pope
28 Jefferson; 26 Miller; 25 Hurley
32 Lawson; 30 Campbell; 29 Ricks
35 Alexander; 34 Robinson; 33 Osborne
41 Braswell; 40 Blackshire; 36 Jackson
45 Ouzts; 44 Payne; 43 Murphy
49 Russaw; 48 Hibbett; 47 Smith
54 McVay; 52 Booker; 50 Smith
57 Pritchett; 56 McLaughlin; 55 Montgomery
65 Latham; 59 Barnes; 58 Brockermeyer
73 Alinen; 71 Dalcourt; 69 Ferguson
77 Roberts; 75 Formby; 74 Proctor
82 Hale; 81 Dippre; 80 Prentice
87 Lewis; 86 Burnip; 84 Niblack
90 Renaud; 89 Lockwood; 88 Kitsleman
93 Latham; 92 Eboigbe; 91 Oatis
96 Keenan; 95 Goodwine; 94 Hill
99 Hastings; 98 Burroughs; 97 Perry

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