The Milroe Matrix: Alabama’s Code to Unlock a Dominant Dual-Threat

After Alabama defeats Georgia, quarterback Jalen Milroe (#2) is named MVP of the SEC Championship Game.USA Today Sports’ Dale Zanine
A superb athlete, Jalen Milroe of Alabama quarterbacked his team to a conference championship in 2023.

Under Tommy Rees, he finished the previous season as a first-year starter with 2,834 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. Rees is currently in the National Football League after serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator for one season. He achieved some impressive things with Milroe, but he did not accomplish the one thing that could have allowed Milroe to fully realize his potential as a nightmare for defenses.

Alabama lacked sufficient design runs to keep their opponents guessing. Rees included it in the Crimson Tide’s strategy for their games against Kentucky and Louisiana State University, but it wasn’t reliable. Because Milroe is more athletic than Michael Penix Jr., Nick Sheridan and Kalen DeBoer can use more quarterback runs. The combination of Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, and Richard Young in the Tide’s rushing assault becomes even more potent if they can successfully move him between the tackles and along the outside.

Additionally, Milroe on design runs could further expand the passing attack. His running will make defenses so aware of him that he will prolong plays with his arm. With its skill, Alabama may have four wide receivers with 1,000 yards in the fall.

Because of Milroe’s exceptional athleticism, the offense can be extremely effective. Defenses should be frustrated by the Tide’s ability to do a wide range of tasks effectively. We’ll see if DeBoer allows Milroe to have additional design runs for this season.