What Nick Sheridan thinks of Alabama's returning offense, Jalen Milroe

Nick Sheridan followed Kalen DeBoer to Alabama to initially be the Crimson Tide’s tight ends coach, but after Ryan Grubb’s departed for the Seattle Seahawks, Sheridan was promoted to the offensive coordinator position and is set to call plays for Alabama this fall.

The Crimson Tide welcomed back four starters from last year’s offense, and joining The Next Round, which was set up inside the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility, on Wednesday morning, Sheridan shared his initial thoughts on the offense he inherits in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

“I think there’s explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball,” said Sheridan in his first interview at UA. “I think there’s some really dynamic playmakers at different positions. I think there’s some really quality interior offensive play that has occurred here, some guys that are returning, and I think there’s some really good, young O-linemen on the edges, as well.

“And so we’re excited about the group. We’re learning about them each and every day. I know that will be a process throughout spring practice is to try to identify what the group does well, and you couple with the quarterbacks that are very talented, very skilled, different each one of them. But we’re really excited and encouraged about the guys that are here.

“Their attitude has been fantastic. They want to win. They care about winning. They want to be their very best, and there’s obviously a shared goal in that, in what we’re trying to accomplish and where we’re trying to go.”

Alabama has to replace several starters on the offensive side of the ball, including three on the offensive line, but the Crimson Tide welcomed back two starting guards in Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts and added a former Washington starter in center Parker Brailsford. UA has to find two starting tackles, but Sheridan was complimentary of the interior.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe, who started 13 of Alabama’s 14 games is 2023, is also back as a returning starter. Milroe threw for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. Milroe finished fourth in the SEC in passing touchdowns, sixth in completion percentage, seventh in passing yards and eighth in passing yards per game (218.0). He also rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on 161 attempts.

“I think he’s an extremely talented and hard-working person,” Sheridan said of Milroe. “I think everybody knows about the explosiveness as a runner, but I also think he’s extremely explosive as a passer, too. He’s got a very strong arm. He’s playing the first time last time with the large majority of the snaps. So I know people don’t like to use the word develop anymore, but that’s part of the journey of a quarterback is the experiences that you go through help you as you move forward in your career.

“He’s an extremely talented player. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. And he’s got a great attitude and a work ethic that’s really unmatched. I’ve really enjoyed the time that I’ve spent with him, as I have with the other quarterbacks in the room. It’s just a really quality room with great people. I think that’s what always lends itself to really good play is it starts with who the person is, and it’s a room full of really great kids that come from great families that are very talented.”

Last year, Washington finished with the country’s second-best passing offense (343.7 yards per game). The Huskies also finished the 2023-24 campaign ranked inside the 15 nationally in both total offense (462.1 ypg, 12th) and scoring offense (36.0 points per game, 13th). 

While a few offensive players have followed DeBoer to Alabama, most of the personnel will be different in Tuscaloosa, and this offensive coaching staff can mold to its new pieces.

“I think past performance is always a great predictor of future performance,” Sheridan said. “So we don’t discredit the accomplishments of any of the players that have been here. Certainly, we’re gonna implement our schemes and our systems. But also, what I would tell you, (what) Coach DeBoer has done so well for so many years is adapt to what that group does.

“We have enough offense to cater to the skills and the strengths of the players, and that certainly centers around the quarterback but also the offensive line and the skill players. At different stops along Coach DeBoer’s journey, the offense has changed and adapted to who they’ve had, so excited about learning what that is with the guys.

“That’s what spring practice is for and trying to adjust as we get closer to the season.” 

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