Can SI All American Candidate Jalen Milroe Win the Texas Longhorns QB Competition in 2021?

The Texas Longhorns will hold their first starting quarterback competition in years in the 2021 offseason after four-year starter Sam Ehlinger departs.

Head coach Tom Herman has been stockpiling talent at the position over the past few seasons and guys like Casey Thompson, Hudson Card, Ja'Quinden Jackson and even current running back Roschon Johnson all potentially ready to stake a claim at the signal caller position.

Yet even with the deepest quarterback room the program has seen in a long time in terms of pure talent, there's always a chance the next Longhorns starting quarterback hasn't even set foot on campus yet.

SI All American candidate and current Katy Tomkins quarterback Jalen Milore has still yet to play his senior season in high school, but he's already generating buzz on the Forty Acres. The Longhorns had to hold of a hard charge from Nick Saban and Alabama to get Milroe's verbal commit (a battle the Crimson Tide haven't exactly ceded yet).

In a world of early enrollees, year-round quarterback camps, film study and 7-on-7 leagues, true freshmen enter college more ready than ever to take over as a team's starting signal caller.

If he were to win the job, it wouldn't come as an emergency measure because of a lack of quarterback depth. It would come because he quickly adapted to Mike Yurcich's scheme and came in college-ready both mentally and physically. The truth is it's probably a longshot considering the talent and experience ahead of him, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Here's a look at Milroe's evaluation from SI All American.

Athleticism: Has been clocked at 4.64 in the 40-yard dash, and has a 4.38 short-shuttle time. Also posted a vertical jump of nearly 35 inches last spring. Fairly quiet feet in pocket with good knee bend and throwing base. Can elude rush and find new throwing lane and reset. Has enough torso rotation and flexibility to perform off-platform throws. Possesses a 2-count delivery with ball coming out with good spin from either over the top or ear-hole level, depending on arm slot. Above-average arm strength to threaten second and third levels, as well as field from boundary.

Instincts: Keeps eyes downfield with very good feel for rush and natural ability to climb up in pocket. Accurate to short and intermediate levels, and flashes deep-ball anticipation and proper ball placement. Natural in secondary-reaction phase with athleticism to scramble or be a run threat. Quick trigger to take what defense gives him versus cover-4.

Polish: Plays exclusively from shotgun and is a solid ball-handler. Executes half-field reads, yet does appear to see whole field in secondary-reaction phase. Also ran some max-protection and 2-route combinations. Can be careless with ball while scrambling and must keep both hands on ball in pocket consistently. Must continue increasing processing and progressions across entire field.

Bottom Line: Milroe is an athletic QB with good traits. He has enough arm strength to push the ball downfield, and flashes very good accuracy. The Texan also has escapability and solid quickness to elude defenders as a runner. Milroe fits best in an offense with a 3-step and 5-step passing attack that also will utilize him on designed runs in its rushing attack.