Before entering the NFL, Jalen Milroe leaves a message in the quarterback’s room at Alabama.
Before Entering the NFL, Jalen Milroe Leaves a Message in the Quarterback’s Room at Alabama
In the world of college football, few players leave as lasting an impact as the quarterback. As the leader of the offense, the quarterback is not only responsible for executing plays but also for setting the tone in the locker room and influencing the culture of the team. This is especially true at a program like Alabama, where the expectations are immense, and the stakes are always high. For Jalen Milroe, the decision to leave Alabama for the NFL was both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter in his football journey. Before he left Tuscaloosa, however, Milroe took the time to leave behind a message—one that would serve as both a reflection of his journey at Alabama and a source of inspiration for future generations of quarterbacks at the program.
The quarterback’s room at Alabama has long been a place of tradition, filled with players who have gone on to achieve great things in both college football and the NFL. From Joe Namath and Ken Stabler to more recent stars like Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, and Bryce Young, Alabama’s history of elite quarterbacks is as storied as it is impressive. Milroe, a gifted dual-threat quarterback with an electrifying playing style, knew he was leaving behind a legacy—one that had been shaped by both triumphs and challenges.
But before he departed for the NFL, Milroe felt compelled to leave something behind for the quarterbacks who would follow in his footsteps. A message that captured not only the essence of what it meant to wear the Alabama jersey but also the lessons he had learned during his time at the program. This message, left on the whiteboard in the quarterback’s room, would serve as a reminder of the work, discipline, and leadership required to succeed at Alabama and beyond.
The Road to Alabama
Jalen Milroe’s journey to Alabama was not one that could have been predicted from the start. Hailing from Katy, Texas, Milroe was a highly touted dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school. He had the athleticism to extend plays with his legs, the arm strength to make any throw on the field, and the leadership qualities that made him a natural fit for a major program. He ultimately committed to Alabama, joining a program that was not only synonymous with success but also known for producing some of the best quarterbacks in college football history.
Milroe’s path to playing time was not an easy one, though. As a highly ranked recruit, he entered an Alabama quarterback room that already featured established stars. Tua Tagovailoa was the star under center when Milroe arrived, followed by Mac Jones and Bryce Young in subsequent seasons. Milroe, like many other elite recruits, had to bide his time and learn from some of the best quarterbacks in college football. The competition was fierce, but Milroe embraced the challenge, using his time as a backup to refine his skills and learn from his predecessors.
Through his early years at Alabama, Milroe faced the typical growing pains of a young quarterback. He spent time learning the intricacies of the offense, mastering the playbook, and adjusting to the speed of the college game. The immense pressure of competing at a program like Alabama also added to the sense of urgency he felt in developing his craft. There were moments of frustration, but Milroe remained focused, knowing that his time would come.
When Milroe eventually took the reins as the starting quarterback, he did so with the confidence that comes from years of preparation and learning. He had absorbed invaluable lessons from his time as a backup, watching how leaders like Tua, Mac, and Bryce handled the pressures of being the face of the program. He knew that Alabama quarterbacks were held to an extraordinarily high standard, and he was ready to meet that challenge head-on.
The Journey as Alabama’s Quarterback
Milroe’s time as the starting quarterback at Alabama was a journey of highs and lows, triumphs and setbacks. As a dual-threat quarterback, he brought a unique dynamic to the position, combining the ability to extend plays with his legs while also possessing the arm strength to make all the necessary throws. His athleticism and playmaking ability were on full display, and he quickly earned the respect of his teammates, coaches, and fans.
However, being the quarterback at Alabama also came with its share of scrutiny. The expectations were always sky-high, and Milroe was no exception to the pressure that came with wearing the Crimson Tide jersey. While his physical tools were undeniable, he faced questions about his consistency as a passer, his ability to read defenses, and his overall development as a complete quarterback. In a program like Alabama, where success is measured by championships, every misstep was magnified. Milroe was aware of this, and it fueled his determination to improve.
Throughout his time as the starting quarterback, Milroe displayed resilience and growth. He had his moments of brilliance, leading Alabama to key victories and putting up impressive individual performances. But he also experienced moments of adversity, facing criticism for his performances in certain games. In these times, Milroe turned to his coaches, his teammates, and his own inner drive to continue improving. He understood that the path to greatness was never linear and that setbacks were simply opportunities for growth.
Perhaps the most significant part of Milroe’s journey at Alabama was his leadership. As a quarterback, Milroe had the responsibility not just of executing plays but of leading the entire offense. He had to be a voice in the huddle, a calming presence when the stakes were high, and a motivator for his teammates. Over time, Milroe became more comfortable in this role, understanding that leadership was as much about earning the trust and respect of his teammates as it was about making plays on the field.
In many ways, Milroe’s growth as a leader mirrored his development as a quarterback. Early on, he relied heavily on his physical abilities to make plays, but as he matured, he began to understand the mental aspects of the game and how to connect with his teammates. He learned to inspire confidence, not just through his performances but through his approach to the game and his work ethic. This transformation from a raw, athletic quarterback into a true leader was one of the most significant aspects of Milroe’s time at Alabama.
Leaving the Message
As Milroe neared the end of his college career and prepared for the NFL Draft, he knew that his time at Alabama had come to an end. But before he left Tuscaloosa, he wanted to leave something behind for the future quarterbacks of the program—a message that would reflect not only his journey but the values and lessons that had defined his time at Alabama.
One evening, as Milroe walked into the quarterback’s room for the final time, he took a moment to reflect on all that had come before. He thought about his first days in Tuscaloosa, the struggles, the successes, the relationships he had formed, and the lessons he had learned. He thought about the great quarterbacks who had come before him, and how they had shaped the tradition of Alabama football. And then, he picked up a marker and began writing on the whiteboard.
The message he left was simple, yet powerful:
“The road to success isn’t easy, and it’s rarely straight. You will face obstacles, but it’s how you respond that matters. In this room, we don’t just build quarterbacks—we build leaders. Embrace the grind, trust the process, and never lose sight of what it means to wear this jersey. Your legacy isn’t just about the wins, the stats, or the accolades—it’s about how you make those around you better. Leave it all on the field, and never forget that you’re a part of something bigger than yourself. This is Alabama football. Make it count.”
The message, though brief, encapsulated everything Milroe had learned during his time at Alabama. It was a reminder to the future quarterbacks that the path to success would be challenging, but that true greatness came from perseverance, leadership, and the willingness to improve every day. It was a reflection of the culture at Alabama—one of hard work, dedication, and selflessness.
The Impact of the Message
Milroe’s message quickly became a point of inspiration for the quarterbacks who followed him. Even as he left for the NFL, the players who remained in the quarterback room would look up at that whiteboard and find motivation in his words. Milroe’s legacy at Alabama wasn’t just about the games he played or the records he set—it was about the example he set for the next generation of quarterbacks.
For those who came after him, Milroe’s message served as a constant reminder that being the quarterback at Alabama was about more than just individual success. It was about contributing to the team, embracing the challenges that came with the position, and carrying on the legacy of excellence that had been established before him. His words became a guiding principle for future quarterbacks, shaping the way they approached their time at Alabama and their development as leaders.
As Milroe made his way to the NFL, the message he left behind in the quarterback’s room remained a lasting reminder of the journey he had taken and the lessons he had learned along the way. His legacy, both as a player and as a leader, would continue to influence Alabama football for years to come.
