If the 2024 college football season wasn’t dramatic enough for Jalen Milroe, the fallout after his NFL Draft declaration has certainly delivered. The now-former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback has become a lightning rod for debate, with critics zeroing in on his draft stock and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft class. While some see Milroe as more of an athlete than a quarterback with hands, others point to his glaring flaws and question his place among the elite prospects.

At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Jalen Milroe has all the physical tools NFL teams covet in a modern quarterback. His ability to extend plays and rack up yardage on the ground helped Alabama secure key wins in 2024, including a high-profile victory over Georgia. But that’s only part of the story. Milroe’s struggles with accuracy are impossible to ignore. With his early declaration, even with a year of eligibility left at college, he has left Kalen DeBoer and Co. with a lot of work to do this offseason. And that starts with finding a real answer at the quarterback position.

With Crimson Tide, the #4 QB recorded 45 passing touchdowns and 33 rushing touchdowns over his four-year college career. And Mel Kiper Jr.’s ranking places Jalen Milroe as his No. 4 QB in the 2025 class, which the ON3 posted on their Instagram page. Well, Milroe was behind Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, indicating there’s still significant interest in his NFL potential. As Kiper noted, Milroe’s athleticism and playmaking ability are undeniable. The caption raised the question, “Top 10 NFL Draft Quarterbacks per @melkiperespn🎯Do you agree? 🤔,” which people answered very well in the comment section.

Milore struggled in his 2024 campaign, which was marred by turnovers, including 11 interceptions and six lost fumbles in just 13 games. In a 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday, he committed three turnovers (two fumbles lost and one interception) all in the first quarter alone—was a microcosm of his season. After a strong start that included beating the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama was ranked as one of the best teams in the nation, and Milroe was the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. But for Milroe and UA, in general, the 2024 season didn’t go to plan.

Even Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson noted Milroe is the “most physically gifted QB” in the class. But kept it real: “Granted, he has a lively arm, but Milroe must begin throwing with more anticipation.” “It appears he does not fully trust his eyes and what he is witnessing between the defense and route concepts in the short and intermediate areas of the defense,” Parson added.

Despite that, his head coach has full faith in his running abilities and didn’t bench him even after a poor passing display in their fallout against the Maize and Blue in the Bowl game. “No, I didn’t,” said Kalen DeBoer when asked if he considered benching Milroe. “I just felt like, there’s things he still did. We scored a field goal with him using his legs. We went 95-plus yards in less than a minute. Just that factor and what we needed with him and his mobility added to the run game.” However, his mechanics and decision-making raise red flags for teams considering him in the first round.

His upcoming appearance at the Senior Bowl could offer a chance to change the narrative. Sharing the stage with quarterbacks like Dillon Gabriel and Riley Leonard, he could prove he belongs among the top prospects. Whether he can seize that opportunity remains to be seen.

A polarizing draft ranking of Jalen Milroe

While Kiper’s ranking made headlines, it also sparked a wave of backlash on social media. People were quick to criticize Milroe’s placement in the top 10, with many suggesting he’s way too overrated for even that.

“Jalen Milroe = running back,” one commenter quipped, echoing the long-standing critique of Milroe’s passing abilities. It’s a harsh assessment, but it highlights the skepticism surrounding his potential as a true quarterback at the next level. Even as Milroe showcased his dual-threat abilities, his inability to consistently deliver accurate throws limited Alabama’s offensive ceiling in 2024.

Another fan was even more direct: “Milroe should be nowhere near the top 10.” While this sentiment might seem extreme, it reflects a larger frustration among fans who believe Kiper’s ranking overvalues athleticism and downplays the importance of fundamentals. Others were baffled by Milroe’s high ranking altogether. “Ummm why tf is Milroe so high,” read one comment, a sentiment shared by many who believe his turnovers and inconsistency should place him further down the board.

“Milroe and [Carson] Beck need to be WAY lower,” wrote another fan, lumping Milroe in with another high-rated SEC quarterback of Bama’s archrival Georgia, whose draft stock has been similarly divisive. It’s clear that fans expect more than just potential. They want polished playmakers who can translate seamlessly to the NFL.

The criticism isn’t new, but it’s louder than ever as he transitions to the next phase of his career. While his detractors make valid points about his weaknesses, there’s also a reason NFL teams are intrigued by him. Dual-threat quarterbacks are in high demand, and Milroe’s athleticism, paired with a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, could help silence some of the doubters.