ESPN sources have revealed that Jalen Milroe will take the quarterback position for Alabama in their season opener against Middle Tennessee this Saturday.
Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, faced competition for the role during preseason, contending with Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner, redshirt freshmen Ty Simpson, and true freshman Dylan Lonergan.
In the previous season, Milroe stepped in for the injured Bryce Young and led Alabama to victory against Texas A&M. He completed 12-of-19 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 81 yards, although he did commit three turnovers.
Although Milroe led the first-team practices among Alabama quarterbacks during preseason, sources suggest that his position as the season’s starter is not set in stone.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Milroe is recognized as one of the team’s most dynamic players with an exceptionally strong arm. He has focused on improving his accuracy during the offseason.
Alabama added Buchner to the team as a transfer following spring practice in April. Buchner played under first-year Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees at Notre Dame and began the 2022 season as Notre Dame’s starter before sustaining a shoulder injury in Week 2.
Both Milroe and Simpson decided to remain at Alabama and compete for the starting position instead of transferring elsewhere. Milroe made significant progress during the summer and preseason, winning over the locker room with his work ethic and leadership. He was ranked as the No. 112 prospect in the ESPN 300 when he graduated from high school in Katy, Texas.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban expressed this summer that he was not in a hurry to name a starting quarterback and wanted to assess the preseason before making a decision.
Lonergan, from Snellville, Georgia, is considered the most accurate passer among the contenders but requires more experience before being game-ready.
Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, continued the tradition of future NFL starters at quarterback for Alabama, following in the footsteps of Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts. Jones and Tagovailoa were both first-round draft picks, and Hurts was a second-round selection.
