After a difficult last season, Jalen Milroe talks candidly about his time at Alabama.

Jalen Milroe’s journey at the University of Alabama has been a rollercoaster of emotions, expectations, and challenges. Once viewed as the heir apparent to one of college football’s most prestigious programs, Milroe’s path to stardom has been marked by moments of brilliance, inconsistency, and ultimately, reflection. After what can only be described as a difficult 2024 season, Milroe has recently opened up about his time at Alabama, sharing insights into the pressures, the lessons learned, and his evolving perspective on football and life.

As a former 5-star recruit and one of the top quarterbacks in the 2022 class, Milroe entered Alabama with high hopes and a reputation for his athleticism, arm strength, and leadership potential. He was touted as the next in a long line of elite quarterbacks to play under Nick Saban, but his journey has been anything but smooth. Despite flashes of promise, Milroe’s play has often been inconsistent, leaving both fans and analysts wondering if he could live up to the hype.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with reporters, Jalen Milroe took the opportunity to reflect on his time at Alabama and discuss his struggles during the 2024 season. With a candid tone, he shared how his experience has shaped him into the player and person he is today. The conversation touched on everything from the pressure of being the starting quarterback at a blue-chip program like Alabama to the lessons learned from dealing with adversity.

The Rise and the Struggles

Milroe’s time at Alabama began with a flurry of excitement. Known for his dual-threat abilities, Milroe was expected to take over a high-octane offense that had become synonymous with Nick Saban’s late-career shift toward more dynamic, mobile quarterbacks. His freshman season in 2023 saw him play sparingly, often entering in relief of Bryce Young during blowout wins. While Milroe’s limited time on the field showcased his raw athleticism and strong arm, it also highlighted some areas of his game that needed work.

By the 2024 season, Milroe had positioned himself as the likely starter after Young declared for the NFL Draft. Expectations were sky-high, but the reality of living up to them proved difficult. The Alabama offense, while still potent, seemed to struggle with consistency. Milroe’s ability to make plays with his legs was never in question, but his decision-making, mechanics, and passing accuracy were areas of concern that reared their head at inopportune moments.

Throughout the season, Milroe faced increasing pressure from both fans and media. Despite a handful of highlight-reel moments, including some long touchdown runs and impressive deep throws, Milroe was often criticized for turnovers, poor accuracy, and an inability to consistently lead the offense. The team’s offense, which had once been a feared juggernaut, began to look disjointed, and questions surrounding Milroe’s ability to command the role grew louder.

“It was a tough year, honestly,” Milroe admitted in the interview. “There were a lot of highs and lows, and there were moments where I felt like I could’ve been doing more to help this team. I knew the expectations coming in, but there’s always that pressure when you’re at a place like Alabama. It wasn’t always easy. It took a lot of growing up, both on and off the field.”

Milroe spoke at length about how the weight of being the starting quarterback at Alabama weighed on him mentally. “There’s pressure everywhere you go, especially with the expectations at Alabama. You’re the guy who’s supposed to lead this program to championships. And when things aren’t going well, you feel that weight. But I’ve learned that sometimes you have to let go of that pressure and just play your game. I’ve been my biggest critic, but I also had to learn to not be too hard on myself.”

Finding Strength in Adversity

Despite the difficulties he faced during the 2024 season, Milroe’s growth over the course of the year was undeniable. The quarterback position at Alabama is one of the most scrutinized roles in college football, and Milroe found himself under the microscope week after week. However, the adversity that came with the criticism and struggles helped shape his character and understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

“Last year, I learned a lot about myself as a person and as a player,” Milroe said thoughtfully. “I think I came into the season with a lot of confidence, but there were times when I had to really dig deep. I had to get back to the basics of what made me a good player in the first place—trusting my teammates, trusting my preparation, and staying mentally strong.”

The adversity wasn’t limited to football alone. The media scrutiny and fan expectations weighed heavily on Milroe, and the pressure from within the program to perform at a high level became increasingly difficult to ignore. “Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is saying—whether it’s fans or analysts or even the pressure from the coaching staff to do more. I had to learn that it’s about focusing on what I can control, which is playing to the best of my ability and improving every day.”

Milroe credits much of his personal growth to the support he received from his teammates, especially those who had been through similar challenges before. He mentions quarterbacks who came before him, including Bryce Young, and how their leadership, guidance, and resilience helped him navigate the pressure cooker that is Alabama football.

“Bryce was always someone I looked up to,” Milroe recalled. “Watching him deal with the ups and downs of being Alabama’s quarterback, I learned a lot. He always stayed calm, never let the pressure get to him, and he was always focused on the team. I’ve tried to take a lot of those lessons to heart.”

As Milroe navigated his challenges, he also grew closer to the Alabama coaching staff, particularly offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Rees, who joined the program in 2024, played a pivotal role in helping Milroe develop both mentally and physically. Milroe has repeatedly credited Rees for helping him refine his mechanics and build confidence in his passing game.

“Coach Rees has been huge for me. He’s always pushing me to be better, but he’s also patient. He understands that development takes time, and I think he saw that in me. We’ve worked together on simplifying my reads and focusing on my footwork, which has made a big difference.”

The Role of Leadership and Accountability

Leadership has been a consistent theme in Milroe’s reflections on his time at Alabama. As the starting quarterback, Milroe was tasked not only with performing on the field but also with leading a talented but often inconsistent team. Milroe’s candid nature about his leadership role is a reminder of the heavy responsibilities that come with playing for a powerhouse program like Alabama.

“Being the leader of this team is something I took very seriously,” Milroe explained. “Even when I wasn’t playing well, I knew that my teammates were looking at me to stay positive, stay focused, and keep fighting. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about throwing touchdowns or making big plays—it’s about how you respond to adversity, how you help your teammates stay focused, and how you keep pushing forward even when things aren’t going your way.”

Milroe’s leadership was evident in the way he handled tough situations, often keeping the team motivated and focused during challenging moments. Despite his struggles, he never shied away from owning up to mistakes and keeping the morale high in the locker room.

“I always told myself that even when I wasn’t playing well, I couldn’t let it affect the rest of the team,” Milroe said. “There were times when I made mistakes, and I had to own up to them. But I also had to keep encouraging my teammates, remind them that we were all in this together, and that we could get better each day.”

Looking Ahead: The Future and Moving Forward

As Milroe looks ahead to the future, he acknowledges that his time at Alabama is far from over. With the 2024 season behind him, Milroe is now focused on continuing his development as a player and leading Alabama back to its championship aspirations. The lessons learned from his difficult season have already begun to shape his approach to the game in 2025, where he is determined to prove that he can live up to the expectations placed on him.

“I know I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Milroe said with determination. “But I’m excited about what’s next. I’ve learned so much from last season—what I can do better, what I need to improve, and how I can help this team. I’m ready to take on the challenge and do whatever it takes to help Alabama win.”

Milroe’s future at Alabama will be one to watch, as he continues to grow both as a player and a leader. While the 2024 season was a challenging chapter, it’s clear that Milroe’s resolve has only strengthened. Whether or not he becomes the quarterback that leads Alabama back to the top of the college football world, one thing is certain: Jalen Milroe’s journey is far from over, and his story is still being written.