Jalen Milroe is the likely starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024. He won the starting job last season by earning Nick Saban’s trust heading into SEC play, and he’ll more than likely do the same with new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Milroe threw for 2,834 yards last season with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He was also a potent weapon on the ground, rushing for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns.
That type of talent is hard to shy away from, but it’s worth noting that DeBoer wanted to highlight all four of the quarterbacks on Alabama’s depth chart after the spring practice session.
“We have four, very talented,” DeBoer said of his quarterbacks (h/t On3). “I know you always go to who the starter is but there is some great talent. I can’t express the appreciation they have for believing in our process and believing in what we’re doing.”
Aside from Milroe, the Crimson Tide features redshirt sophomore Ty Simpson (a former five-star recruit) and redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan. When DeBoer came over from Washington, freshman quarterback Austin Mack followed him to Tuscaloosa via the transfer portal. Mack is a former four-star quarterback who was committed to the Huskies.
In all, that makes four talented and capable quarterbacks, and in DeBoer’s offensive scheme, any of them could end up being the next Michael Penix Jr.
“From the beginning of the spring, every single one of those guys improved,” DeBoer said. “They’re more comfortable in the offense. Improving doesn’t mean they’re perfect. There’s a throw here and a throw there that they read… They’re all in and they’re diving into the playbook. They believe that they’re going to get in this program.”