The many challenges Alabama QB Jalen Milroe presents for South Carolina's defense

Jalen Milroe is far from the same quarterback he’s grown into now versus when he first arrived at Alabama in 2021.

Milroe, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks coming out of high school, sat behind Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young for two seasons and played sparingly. When his opportunities came, he relied on his abilities as a runner to lead the way. Becoming a passer was still very much a work in progress.

But since taking over as the Crimson Tide’s starter under center in 2023, Milroe has slowly lived up to the other half of his dual-threat persona. He’s still hard to stop in the run game. But since last year, he’s come along nicely as a passer, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards in his first year as the starter.

And so far, this season, it’s been much of the same, if not slightly better. Under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound quarterback has thrown for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games for the first time in his career over the last two weeks.

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He’ll look to continue to build on his strong resume thus far as No. 7 Alabama welcomes in South Carolina on Saturday (noon, ABC). For Clayton White’s defense, they’re well-aware how tough it will be to go against Milroe.

“Your first initial thought when you think of Jalen Milroe … you’d think he’s a running quarterback,” White said. “Then you put on the tape, he’s a passer, he’s a solid quarterback who’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands.

“He does a great job of stepping up and making people miss. (He has) great speed and a strong arm and can throw the ball probably 60 yards standing flat footed. I can’t imagine how far he can throw it if he steps into it with a great follow through and release. He’s an athlete, for sure. He’s an athlete that’s playing quarterback. It’s impressive to watch.”

Milroe has already faced some of the better defenses in the country this year with outstanding results against both Wisconsin and Georgia. But the Gamecocks could be his toughest test so far as they rank ahead of those other opponents in total defense.

For the most part, South Carolina has done a fine job of keeping opposing quarterbacks in check. The defense notably held Kentucky’s Brock Vandagriff to a mere 44 passing yards back in Week 2. Even in some bigger performances, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart each nearly threw for 300 yards. But they were both under heavy duress most of the time against the Gamecocks.

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So, when it comes to finding ways to slowing down Milroe, forcing him into heavy pressure will be a huge factor. But even if that’s the case, he’s still going to be able to scramble. He’s ran for 283 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

If there’s any upside for South Carolina, though, the defense has faced a similar player in its own starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers every day in practice. Much like Milroe, Sellers is a dual-threat player with a great ability to make plays.

“It’s hard to game plan for guys like LaNorris. His legs can hurt you. Of course, his arm can hurt you as well,” Demetrius Knight Jr. said. “Jalen Milroe is the same type of guy. He’s got a great frame, has a great arm and can hurt you in the run game. So, there are plays (Alabama) has designed, especially for him to utilize his speed on the edge. We have things for LaNorris as well.”

Consistently going up against Sellers in practice can only prepare the defense so much, though. There’s a real difference when it comes time for the real game. Milroe hurts defenses in plenty of ways, but he’s seemingly at his best when he throws on passes more than 20 yards, completing 12-of-21 passes for 570 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.

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When watching through the tape on Alabama, that was something Knight became aware of. If South Carolina wants to have any chance against Milroe, it can’t allow the “big” plays.

“What makes him dangerous is he’s a guy that will keep his eyes down the field. He’s developed in his game this year, of course, with their new staff that’s coming from Washington,” Knight said. “(Alabama) want those big plays, they want those chunk plays. After they get a big play, they’re going to run it fast just to get you off guard.”

Many have tried, though, and in most cases, failed to stop Milroe. But for Knight and South Carolina, they feel they have a chance to do so.

“We just have to, again, it sounds like beating a dead horse, but you got to rely on your training,” Knight said. “When you’re tired, when you’re confused, you want to get off the field when it’s a long drive — your training will come through more times than not.”

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