Alabama Football Coach Talks About Bill O’Brien Telling Him To Move To A Different Position.
QB Jalen Milroe is the focus of attention as Alabama football prepares for its national semifinal matchup against Michigan on Monday.
Following doubts about his ability to lead Alabama to championship glory this year, Milroe put the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game in November with an outstanding performance. Alabama won the game 27-24 thanks to two touchdown passes from Milroe, guaranteeing the team’s spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Ahead of the Rose Bowl on Thursday, Milroe talked to the media about his experiences being questioned during his time in college, even by his coaches.
“Shoot, I’ve always been that way, even in college. Bill O’Brien, my own offensive coordinator, advised me against playing quarterback. That gives me motivation,” Milroe remarked, citing Chris McCulley.
If I told you that you were terrible, how would you react? I felt precisely like that. For me, staying true to who I am was the most important thing. Nothing about who I am changed. The only thing that altered was my ability to seize an opportunity.
Not long before the season began, Milroe emerged victorious in the competition for Alabama’s starting quarterback position. Milroe started 12 of the 13 games the Crimson Tide played this season, despite calls to take him out from under center, which Alabama did for their game against South Florida in Week 3.
He surreptitiously entered the Heisman Trophy race in November and had an incredible second half of the season. Despite not making it to the finals, he received the sixth most votes. In his previous six games, Milroe ran for seven more touchdowns, including four against LSU, and completed 12 touchdown passes with just two interceptions.
In September, there was no question that Milroe was Alabama’s best option. There is minimal doubt that Jalen Milroe is the man to lead the Crimson Tide into battle in the College Football Playoff as January draws near, and with it the possibility of a seventh national championship in fifteen years.