Jalen Milroe is getting some serious praise! The Alabama quarterback is being compared to a former Alabama QB who’s now a big deal in the NFL. If you guessed Jalen Hurts, you’re right!

College football experts see similarities between Milroe and Hurts, who led the Crimson Tide to the CFP National Championship in 2017. Milroe’s development under Kalen DeBoer seems to be following a similar path to Hurts’.

On August 9, during Crain & Company, Alabama football analyst Clint Lamb was asked about Milroe’s potential for the Heisman. Lamb didn’t hesitate to draw a comparison to the 2019 Heisman finalist, Jalen Hurts. He said, “It’s kind of like Jalen Hurts. I have compared Jalen Milroe to Jalen Hurts. It’s not the same, but as far as the skill set, it looks Jalen Hurts.”

Lamb pointed out how Hurts grew as a player at Alabama under Nick Saban, especially when he replaced Tua Tagovailoa in the SEC Championship game. Hurts became a different player at that point. Lamb noted, “But I think it took him going to Oklahoma and being in a system like Lincoln Riley’s, where a head coach or play-caller could mask some of his weaknesses and highlight his strengths.” That system turned Hurts into a Heisman winner and potential first-round NFL pick.

Though Hurts eventually fell to the second round, he secured a massive $255 million, 5-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Being compared to someone like Hurts is a great start for Jalen Milroe. And as Lamb added, Milroe doesn’t have to leave Alabama to find his Lincoln Riley. “He got a guy that’s come to him, that’s going to be able to do that.” Yes, Kalen DeBoer is Milroe’s magic maker!

Jalen Milroe’s Heisman hope soars under DeBoer

Jalen Milroe is making some Heisman noise with his 2,834 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s up against some big QB names like Dillon Gabriel, Carson Beck, and Shedeur Sanders. But Milroe has an advantage — his coach, Kalen DeBoer, who’s known for his offensive genius.

DeBoer is expected to boost Milroe’s Heisman chances and draft stock. Even On3 analyst JD Pickell thinks so. When asked how DeBoer plans to use Milroe’s running ability, the Crimson Tide head coach said he’ll “utilize the best athletes on the field’s abilities.” Milroe, known for being a dual-threat QB, excels as a precision passer and a runner. It seems like DeBoer plans to leverage both skills effectively. As Pickell puts it, “I think they’re going to play to his strengths as a runner while giving him more help than he’s ever had before as a passer.” 

It looks like DeBoer could be to Milroe what Riley was to Hurts. Milroe is already a top 3 Heisman contender, according to CFB Home, with +1000 odds. With these early steps, his future looks bright for sure.