Milroe, in spite of QB jab, taught ‘a lot’ by O’Brien

• Chris Low, ESPN Senior Citizen WriterDec 30, 2023, 05:02 PM ET

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  • College football reporter
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

PASADENA, Calif.– Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe stated Saturday that he probably might have been more coachable when Costs O’Brien was the Crimson Tide’s offensive planner but restated that he never thought about changing positions.Milroe stated Thursday that O’Brien as soon as told him that he should not play quarterback. O’Brien, now the New England Patriots’offensive organizer, was Alabama’s offensive planner in 2021 and 2022 when Milroe was a backup.”You can always absorb more information.

That’s the greatest thing that you find out in a scenario like that, that you can never give up knowing and stop listening,”Milroe stated at media day for the Rose Championship game provided by Prudential, where No. 4 Alabama will face No. 1 Michigan on Monday(5 p.m. ET, ESPN). Milroe was the essential to Alabama’s transformation this season and the 11-game winning streak that landed the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff. He ended up sixth in the Heisman Prize voting and has accounted for 28 touchdowns and just five turnovers in Alabama’s previous 10 games. That seeks being benched versus South Florida in Week 3. Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Milroe wasn’t happy about O’Brien’s recommendation to change positions but said his experience playing under O’Brien

wasn’t all

bad.”I learned a lot under Coach [O’Brien],”Milroe stated.”He had NFL experience and likewise college experience.

He had actually been around a lot of excellent quarterbacks, so the greatest thing I could be was a sponge for information and attempt to learn as much as I could from him while he was there at Alabama. “Milroe was more caustic about everything on Thursday when going over O’Brien and the proposed position modification. “How would you feel if I informed you [that] you draw?”Milroe told reporters.”He informed me a lot of positions I could have switched to, but look where I

am right now. Who gets the ultimate victory? “Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, has stated he plans to return for the 2024 season. He has the third-highest passer ranking (177.5)among Power 5 quarterbacks.After throwing a pair of interceptions in a Week 2 loss to Texas, Milroe didn’t play the next week versus South Florida. He met coach Nick Saban the day after the South Florida game– where Alabama finished simply 10 passes

for 107 yards– and was ensured that the quarterback task was his.Milroe informed ESPN last month that Saban was honest about what he required from him as the starting quarterback and he began to play more easily after that. However being questioned as a quarterback was absolutely nothing brand-new to Milroe, who said “even some people in this structure [

Alabama’s football complex] doubted me”after he showed up on campus.” I was informed I would never ever be the starting quarterback at Alabama,”Milroe informed ESPN last month.” I’ve been told I was not wise adequate to play the position. I have actually been told everything. Even when I was called the starter at the beginning of the season, I do not believe a lot of

individuals believed I would keep it, and if I did, that we were going to have a bad season. So yes, I’ve faced a lot of barriers. The main thing is the right individuals thought in me, here at Alabama and within my family, and I stayed grounded in thinking in who I am. That takes you a long way.”Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner said once it ended up being clear to everyone that Milroe was the guy, that’s when he took off and played his finest football.”And that’s when we really took off as a group,”Turner stated.