On Thursday, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe announced his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, marking the end of his collegiate career with the Crimson Tide, reported by REUTERS. A redshirt junior in 2024, Milroe had eligibility remaining but opted to turn professional after earning his undergraduate degree.
Milroe shared heartfelt words in his announcement:
“To my teammates, my brothers, thank you for the blood, sweat and tears we’ve shared. The bonds we’ve built will last a lifetime. To Coach [Nick] Saban, thank you for believing in me and instilling the standard of excellence in me. To Coach [Kalen] DeBoer, thank you for challenging me and helping me grow into the player and leader I am today”, according to CBS Sports.
As Alabama’s starting quarterback for the past two seasons, Milroe showcased his dual-threat capabilities. In 2024, he completed 205-of-319 passes for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing 11 interceptions. He also excelled on the ground, rushing 168 times for 726 yards and an impressive 20 touchdowns. Milroe’s time under center was marked by dynamic highs, including deep throws and electrifying runs, but also inconsistency and costly turnovers.
One such roller-coaster moment came in Alabama’s ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan on Tuesday, where Milroe turned the ball over three times in four plays during the first half.
Milroe’s journey as Alabama’s quarterback had its challenges. After earning the starting job in 2023, he was benched in Week 3 following a two-interception performance against Texas. However, he reclaimed his role in Week 4 against Ole Miss, delivering a strong performance with 225 passing yards, a touchdown, and one interception in a victory. From that point, Milroe solidified his position, guiding Alabama to an SEC title and a College Football Playoff berth while finishing sixth in Heisman Trophy voting with 39 total touchdowns in 2023.
Alabama ended the 2024 season with a 9-4 record under first-year offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, marking the program’s first sub-10-win season since 2007, Nick Saban’s debut year.
Milroe’s NFL potential will intrigue teams as the draft approaches. While his athleticism and playmaking ability are undeniable, scouts will weigh his tendency for turnovers and inconsistent play against his ceiling as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
For Crimson Tide fans, Milroe’s departure signals the end of an era—and the beginning of a new chapter for one of college football’s most exciting players