When people hear the name Jalen in connection to Alabama football, they often think of Jalen Hurts—a former Crimson Tide quarterback who’s now a franchise leader with the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts’ journey from college uncertainty to NFL stardom has inspired countless young quarterbacks, and one in particular is now carving his own path in Tuscaloosa: Jalen Milroe.
Milroe, like Hurts before him, is a dual-threat quarterback—one who can make plays with both his arm and his legs. While early critiques of his game often focused on his athleticism over his passing, recent performances have started to change the narrative. Milroe isn’t just a runner who can occasionally throw; he’s becoming a legitimate passer who happens to have elite mobility.
This evolution mirrors the trajectory of Jalen Hurts in many ways. Hurts, too, was once labeled a run-first quarterback who needed to improve as a passer. After transferring from Alabama to Oklahoma to better showcase his throwing skills, he proved his doubters wrong, eventually leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance and even outperforming the likes of Patrick Mahomes on some of the biggest stages. His development into a polished and poised NFL quarterback was anything but overnight—it took dedication, time, and a willingness to adapt.
Milroe seems to be following that blueprint. Under the guidance of Alabama’s coaching staff, he has sharpened his mechanics, improved his accuracy, and gained confidence in the pocket. He’s showing a better understanding of defensive schemes and has demonstrated the ability to make throws into tight windows. The “he can throw” label is no longer a question—it’s a fact becoming evident every week.
More than just stats, it’s Milroe’s leadership and composure that stand out. He’s earned the respect of his teammates, just as Hurts did during his time in college. The comparisons aren’t just superficial. There’s a shared resilience, a quiet intensity, and a commitment to growth that connects the two.
Of course, no two players are exactly alike. Milroe has his own style—he’s flashier in some ways, more aggressive as a runner, and perhaps a bit more raw as a passer than Hurts was at this stage. But the potential is undeniable. If Hurts could go from being benched in a national title game to becoming one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, who’s to say Milroe can’t forge a similar path?
NFL scouts are beginning to take notice. With a strong arm, elite athleticism, and now a growing sense of poise, Milroe is being mentioned as a possible draft riser in the future. He’ll need to continue developing, particularly in reading coverages and staying consistent with his mechanics, but the tools are there.
Hurts proved that the narrative around quarterbacks like him—dynamic athletes often pigeonholed as not being “pure passers”—can be rewritten. Milroe, it seems, is starting to tell a similar story. As he continues to grow into his role at Alabama, the echoes of Hurts’ journey grow louder.
In the end, whether Milroe matches Hurts’ NFL success remains to be seen. But right now, one thing is clear: Jalen Milroe can throw. And if he continues on this upward trajectory, he just might shine as brightly as the Jalen who came before him—perhaps even giving defenses in the NFL fits just like Hurts has done to Mahomes and the rest.
