Kirby Smart Discusses Comps of Alabama's Jalen Milroe to Lamar Jackson, Tim Tebow

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart showered Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with some major praise before the SEC Championship game this Saturday. Smart was asked if Milroe, one of the premier dual-threat QBs in the country, has characteristics similar to former Florida QB and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
The Georgia coach went in a different direction, comparing Milroe to another Heisman winner and NFL MVP in Ravens signal-caller Lamar Jackson. Here’s what Smart said, complete with a reference to his kids playing Madden, per The Next Round on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"No offense to Tim Tebow, but this guy is different...this guy is a bigger, physical version of (Lamar Jackson)." - Kirby Smart with some HIGH praise for Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. @TimTebow @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/ERj5YgKwQm
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) November 27, 2023
Smart said that Milroe is a “bigger, physical version of Lamar Jackson.” The Georgia coach added some humor to his comparison, saying that Milroe reminds him of Jackson because his sons use the Ravens signal-caller in Madden, and “nobody can tackle him.”
Milroe, who was benched earlier in the year, has been a fixture under center during the Tide’s 10-game winning streak and a nightmare for opposing defenses. Smart’s ninth-ranked defense will certainly be tested by Milroe, who has accounted for 21 touchdowns with his arms and another 12 with his legs.
The SEC Championship game will likely be determined by how well the Bulldogs’ defense holds up against the Tide’s dynamic QB. If Milroe is playing like Jackson in Madden, it could be a long day for the ‘Dawgs.

Tim Capurso is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated, primarily covering MLB, college football and college basketball. Before joining SI in November 2023, Capurso worked at RotoBaller and ClutchPoints and is a graduate of Assumption University. When he's not working, he can be found at the gym, reading a book or enjoying a good hike. A resident of New York, Capurso openly wonders if the Giants will ever be a winning football team again.