Getty Image / Douglas DeFelice
It wasn’t that long ago when Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was considered to be a first-round pick by many. The dual-threat quarterback was putting up gaudy numbers earlier in the season and showing big-time growth as a passer under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.
His draft stock has dipped precipitously, especially after a subpar performance in the Reliaquest Bowl on Tuesday. But, that didn’t dissuade him from entering the NFL Draft early, as he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday.
Here’s the message that Milroe shared.
BREAKING:
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/JBshZOGgeo
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) January 2, 2025
Milroe had an up-and-down season, finishing with 2,844 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and adding another 726 yards on the ground with a whopping 20 touchdowns for the 9-4 Crimson Tide.
The Katy, Texas native was a bit better statistically in 2023, his first year as a starter. That being said, he got off to a great start this year, lighting up Georgia for an incredibly 491 total yards in a 41-34 Alabama win. But, down the stretch, he struggled. He threw for over 200 yards just once in the team’s final five games, and had 3 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions in that span.
Things really took a turn, in terms of national perception, during the Reliaquest Bowl on Tuesday. Milroe was awful against a depleted Michigan team, completing 16 of 32 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and two lost fumbles, gaining just 7 yards on the ground on 16 carries. As bad as those numbers are, Milroe actually played worse than the numbers.
But, even with his draft stock falling well out of the first round into Day 2, and maybe even further, Milroe decided to go pro with eligibility remaining.
Could Milroe have seen the writing on the wall that Kalen DeBoer was likely to name someone else the starting quarterback next year, such as five-star recruit Keelon Russell? That certainly could’ve played a role. But, Jalen Milroe could’ve entered the transfer portal and made big bucks elsewhere.
Ultimately, he decided that the NFL was his best bet. I’m not sure that was the right choice, but time will tell.