Let a naysayer know…what…exactly? The ReliaQuest Bowl was potentially the last we ever saw of Jalen Milroe in College Football, as hyperbolic as that may sound. This big-ticket game vs Michigan was an opportunity to bow out from Alabama gracefully. However, the magnitude of the matchup, meshed with what was on the line for Milroe, concocted something that may have burned any bridges of a possible return to Tuscaloosa.

The Florida Sun perhaps gleamed too brightly down in Tampa and rendered Jalen Milroe’s vision distorted. He had a poor showing enroute yet another embarrassing loss for Bama, 13-19. With his future already up in the air, this did provide him with some clarity. Although not of his own accord.

5-star QB from the ‘24 class and new Bama signee Keelon Russell, in an interview with On3’s Steve Wiltfong, claims, “[Alabama] want me to come and be the starting quarterback ASAP.” The optics of this do not bode well for Milroe. This dropping in the backwash of his ReliaQuest Bowl performance and their loss seems like a timed manuevre from Kalen DeBoer and co. to let him know. Whatever his future holds, whether it’s in the NFL or another school courtesy or the portal. It’s becoming transparent that it won’t involve him wearing Crimson red.

Jalen Milroe is caught in a conundrum, which is a theme around CFB quarterbacks this offseason. A disappointing downseason raises the question of whether to declare for the NFL draft or bide another year in college. Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers are two peers floating in this same proverbial boat. Beck has announced he’s going pro now that injury has prematurely ended his college career. Ewers has the CFP to keep his focus. Milroe is now due with his season over.

It remains to be seen what path he’ll decide to traverse. An answer is imminent, with Jalen Milroe proclaiming earlier that he’ll make an announcement after the Bowl game. After merely 2 years atop the depth chart and 27 total starts, he’ll, unfortunately, be an afterthought amidst the lineage of great quarterbacks to walk through Tuscaloosa. The Bama faithful will hope his alleged successor requires a little more reverence from them. He’s got a decent shout to achieve that.

True freshman Keelon Russell may not be ready to replace Jalen Milroe just yet

The No. 2 QB prospect out of this class, Keelon Russell’s case for suggesting he’ll be the starter as a true freshman is pretty airtight. He’s the Gatorade National Football POTY, for starters. He threw for over 4000 yards and 55 TDs in his senior year at Duncanville. He’s spearheaded them to 2 state championships. This does make his case strong but dig beneath the surface, and there’s a concern.

The term “true freshman” just doesn’t equate the same in the current make-up of CFB. The days of cagey high schoolers making the step up are almost a thing of the past. No more cagey, only courageous. Athletes now are almost ready off the jump. This translates to most players, but with Keelon Russell, let’s just say there may be some growing pains. He’s quite frail and stands at 6 feet. Not particularly tall for a QB. There’s obviously room for a growth spurt still. However, he may have to hit the weight room before lining up behind centre at this level.

Compare this to Jalen Milroe, who’s a battering ram in human form. There are changes imminent in the makeup of the Bama offense, and Kalen DeBoer may have to move towards a more pass-centric scheme. He wants to determine his QB1 as soon as possible. A long offseason beckons for Milroe and DeBoer alike.