In Kalen DeBoer’s debut season as head coach of Alabama, the Crimson Tide finished with a 9-4 record and a trip to the ReliaQuest Bowl. With the 2024 campaign now over, several Alabama athletes, including quarterback Jalen Milroe, are taking their talents to the next level via the 2025 NFL Draft.
The quarterback’s production is evident in his 82.8 QBR rating. Apart from his athletic skills, Milroe is also skilled in the classroom, as he won the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy and the Pop Warner College Football Award, given to CFB’s top scholar-athletes.
Jalen Milroe Speaks On How His Academic Success Helps Him With Football
In light of these honors, Milroe was asked how his academic values help him on the gridiron during an interview with NFL Network on Jan. 29.
“It’s all about the details that come with both,” Milroe said. “Being detail-oriented, of course, but numbers are a big factor when it comes to pass protection, when it comes to numbers on the field, and when it comes to progressions.
“So there are so many things you can learn from school. For me, at the quarterback position, it’s all about utilizing my keys and maximizing every opportunity when a defense presents different looks. So I definitely correlate the two when I have the opportunity,” Milroe explained.
.@JalenMilroe on how winning the Academic Heisman Award has helped him in his mental game on the field.
📺: Reese's Senior Bowl — Saturday, 2:30pm ET on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/w4dPMZyiiT
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 29, 2025
Milroe’s NFL Draft Outlook
According to Pro Football Network’s latest 7-round mock draft, Milroe is projected to be selected as the No. 34 overall pick by the New York Giants, who are in great need of a franchise signal-caller. If they fail to get the consensus top two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, Milroe could be a great pick for the team.
The analysis reads, “Jalen Milroe stands out as the most athletic quarterback in this draft, boasting a cannon for an arm and elite athleticism—rivaling even last year’s No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams. However, his accuracy in the 10-19-yard range needs improvement. If he sharpens his short and intermediate passing, Milroe’s game will be complete.
MORE READING: 2025 NFL Draft Ultimate Top 300 Big Board
The write-up continues, “For now, his raw athleticism lets him outrun SEC linebackers, while his arm strength can deliver strikes to receivers with minimal separation. Development is key, but his natural gifts already set him apart.”
In 2024, Milroe threw for 2,844 yards for 16 touchdowns on a 64.3% completion rate and also gained 726 yards for 20 scores as a rusher. On the other end of the spectrum, though, Milroe threw 11 picks and developed a small fumble problem.
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