Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer Offers Spring Scrimmage Updates on Jalen Milroe, QB Room

Kalen DeBoer offered a glimpse into the quarterback room after the Crimson Tide's first spring scrimmage.

Just before Easter weekend, the Alabama football team held its first scrimmage of spring practice. On Thursday, new head coach Kalen DeBoer was pleased with redshirt junior Jalen Milroe. Things don't solely go through the Texas native. One goal for the coaching staff is to get the quarterbacks a significant number of reps during scrimmages. At this point, who takes reps where is not an indicator of the depth chart at the position.

Milroe, who started for most of 2023, made it clear immediately upon DeBoer's hiring that he was staying at the Capstone. He made great strides as last season progressed. "Jalen Milroe has been super consistent," DeBoer said. "He's done a good job, I think, of just playing ball." He's been able to utilize both the running and passing game, leading to play calling working around what he brings to the equation.

"I think he's getting more and more comfortable with the offense every day," added DeBoer, "especially when it comes to the pass game." Milroe has found ways to move the chains with his feet and thrown downfield when he needs to.

There are multiple quarterbacks who are able to take first-team reps, in addition to Milroe. DeBoer is hopeful that the Crimson Tide signal callers can all see substantial reps. "It's good to see guys operating not just with their group... the ones, the twos or the threes," DeBoer said. The quarterbacks in general were comfortable, staying with plays and not turning the football over even once on Thursday.

"I think [that's] a really good sign," said DeBoer. "That says a lot. When they had chances to make throws, they went and put it in a spot where the offensive player could compete for it." What he described as a good all-around day for the quarterbacks included some touchdown passes too.

The quarterback room, in addition to Milroe, also includes Dylan Lonergan, Ty Simpson and Washington transfer Austin Mack. Simpson, who helped the Crimson Tide to an ugly win last season in a game at South Florida, surprised some with his decision not to enter the transfer portal. Mack is the youngest, and the tallest. Lonergan, meanwhile, has elected to focus on the gridiron as opposed to playing baseball. He is not listed on this season's Alabama baseball roster. Hewitt-Trussville High School alumnus Cade Carruth, a junior, rounds out the position group.