Kalen DeBoer responds to rumor of Alabama players transferring if Jalen Milroe returned
Prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, an anonymous NFL coordinator suggested Alabama would have lost all of its skill players had quarterback Jalen Milroe returned rather than enter the draft.
“We heard out of Alabama all the skill (players) would’ve transferred if he came back,” the AFC coordinator told NFL.com.
Second-year Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t buying it
DeBoer, who was in Green Bay on Thursday night, reacted to the report on Monday during an interview with Sports Radio 93.3 KJR in Seattle, where Milroe was drafted in the third round.
“I think I’ve heard that same quote, and I think the word ‘all’ was used, so whenever absolutes are used like that, I kind of question it right there,” DeBoer said. “The words ‘never’ and ‘always’ and ‘all’ – I think that’s a little far-fetched.
“I don’t think we would have lost all of our receivers for anything.”
Alabama did lose six scholarship wide receivers to the transfer portal despite Milroe declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. But the Tide welcomed back its top two targets, Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, as well as some promising young pass-catchers and added three newcomers, including Miami transfer Isaiah Horton, who figures to make an instant impact.
“I will also say that there were guys who left – we had six receivers transfer out, just on this last year’s team already,” DeBoer said. “There’s reasons for that. Who you’re hearing that from and what’s happening, I don’t know. That’s really not a concern of mine.”
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Milroe was the fourth quarterback selected in last week’s draft, going No. 92 overall to Seattle. In his second season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback, Milroe threw for 2,844 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and rushed for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Named a two-time captain by his teammates, Milroe earned praise from his former coach, who only had one season to work with the Alabama quarterback before he elected to turn pro.
“I know that Jalen is a guy really works hard to unite people, so from a personality standpoint I don’t really question that,” DeBoer continued. “He can throw the ball. We talk about the deep ball, and I think a lot of it is just being comfortable and that timing. I think there’s a piece where we could have continued to improve the consistency of the pocket and continued to develop a little bit of movement and things. That’s Year 1 to Year 2 progression, just like we did there with Michael (Penix Jr.). We progressed from Year 1 to Year 2.
“… Yeah, I think when you talk in absolutes like that, it’s a little far-fetched to say. It’s not really a concern of mine right now.”
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