Kirby Smart: Jalen Milroe "A Bigger, More Physical" version of Lamar Jackson

After a heroic performance in No. 8 Alabama's 27-24 comeback win over Auburn, Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe has garnered national attention — with fans, players and coaches alike touting the redshirt sophomore's rapid improvement over the course of the season.

As the Alabama prepares to face No. 1 Georgia on Saturday in the 2023 SEC Championship game, Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart knows the Katy, Texas native is a dynamic playmaker capable of breaking open any game if left uncontained.

"He is going to make plays," Smart said. "That is a given. You watch every game, and he has made plays. He has an uncanny ability to extend plays. Whether it is that he knows he is about to take off and he's setting you up and then pump fakes, he does a lot of things with the ball that makes him hard to defend. He makes plays, and we're going to make plays. So you have to have confidence that you are going to make more than what they are going to make."

For Smart, Milroe's dual-threat ability is almost video game-like on the field.

"[Milroe] is like when I used to ask my sons on 'Madden' — they wanted to play with the Ravens, and I'd ask 'Why are you playing with the Ravens?'" Smart said. "They'd say 'I've got Lamar Jackson, and nobody can tackle him.' This guy is a bigger, more physical version of that. He is playing in a different speed than anybody else when you watch him."

When asked if Milroe is the kind of player that grabs the attention of other elite athletes, Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran was quick to laud the quarterback's overall ability.

"Yeah, I think definitely for sure,'' Van Pran said. "I think ultimately we're all deep down just fans of the game. We try to watch as much football as possible. We try and enjoy competitive games. He's definitely a guy that I think in my opinion a lot of athletes have a lot of respect for. He brings a very unique sense to the game. He can extend plays with his legs. He can throw the ball downfield. He's really, really tough. He's also smart. He doesn't try to take a lot of hits. I think he's a really, really good player, and I think ultimately because we're all fans of the game we appreciate what he can do and respect what he can do on the field. I think ultimately you're right in the sense that as students and fans of the game, we definitely respect and try and watch quality football for sure."

Milroe enters the weekend having passed for 2,526 yards and 21 touchdowns with six interceptions, plus 439 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. With one game left to go before bowl season, the Crimson Tide are hoping Milroe can provide one last spark as they seek to topple the nation's top team in Atlanta.

Kickoff for No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama in the 2023 SEC Championship game is set for Saturday at 3:00 PM C.T. on CBS.

See More: