MOBILE, Ala. — Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is hoping to showcase his talents and improve his NFL draft status at the 76th annual Senior Bowl, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Whitney Hancock Stadium at South Alabama.
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward are considered the top two quarterbacks in this draft class. After those two players, there’s a massive competition.
“I wish them the best.” Milroe said. “I want them to achieve all they can playing the position, kind of the hardship that comes with being a quarterback in this society, the hardship that comes with it. So, number one, (they have my) support.”
Milroe, who’s playing for the American team Saturday against the National team, is familiar with the accolades that Sanders and Ward have amassed.
“I hope they have a long career,” Milroe said. “They had great college careers. So now that they have the opportunity to play at the next level, it’s a great opportunity.”
Milroe, a dual-threat player who is being compared by some with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, plans to show off his skills after a two-year stint as the starter at Alabama.
“So, the selection doesn’t really matter,” Milroe said. “It’s all about the opportunity, the situation (that) best fits you. So, I hope they go to the best situation that fits them and for them to have a long career — whatever team is lucky and blessed to be a part of part of their journey.
“So, I’m pulling for them. I’m only worrying about myself, how I can be better, looking for the best fit for myself.”
The Falcons turned heads last season when they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the draft. Teams looking for quarterbacks in this draft don’t have as many choices for potential starters.
“It’s certainly not last year,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said. “I don’t know if anyone in this class would be in the top six of the guys last year. I don’t know if any of these guys are Bo Nix or Penix or J.J. McCarthy (all first-round picks in the 2024 draft). That was just a unique class. I think we’re going to look back in 15 years at the class of 2024 (with its six QBs in the first round) as one of the best classes ever.”
Nagy is fine with the comparison of Milroe to Hurts, who played at Alabama and Oklahoma before being drafted by the Eagles in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2020 draft. He’s about to make his second Super Bowl appearance over the past three seasons Feb. 9 in New Orleans.
“Sitting up here four or five years ago, whatever that was, and Jalen Hurts was a fourth- or fifth-round pick for most teams that year (before the Senior Bowl),” Nagy said. “Jalen Milroe is certainly higher than that on most team’s board right now. So, at least he’s starting the process at a better place.”
Hurts was hit with some of the NFL’s old stereotypes.
“I hope none of you ask me if we’re playing Jalen Milroe at running back like you did with Jalen Hurts that one year,” Nagy said. “(Milroe has) a really cool opportunity right now to help himself.”
Milroe completed 426 of 663 passes (64.3%) for 6,016 yards, 45 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He had 375 rushes for 1,577 yards and 33 touchdowns.
He led the Crimson Tide to the SEC title after the 2023 regular season, Nick Saban’s last as the head coach. He has more rushing touchdowns than any other quarterback in Alabama history. He could have returned.
“So, that time of being in college, from being my freshman year, when I was 18. … I’ve been able to learn and grow,” Milroe said. “So, I thought it was the best decision to go ahead and declare.”
He worked a year under Tommy Rees, who recently was named the Browns' offensive coordinator. The Browns hold the second pick in the draft.
“Coach Rees gave me an opportunity to expand my knowledge of the game of football,” said Milroe, a native of Katy, Texas. “I was the first-year starter the season of 2023 and he was the OC. The amount of knowledge I learned from him (was great).”
Milroe will split time in the game with Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard and Memphis’ Seth Henigan.
He’s hoping to impress as many scouts as Hurts did.
“When it (comes) to Jalen Hurts, his journey, who he is as a person, that’s always been inspiring,” Milroe said. “I always love watching him play. If the Eagles are playing, I’m tuned in every Sunday, Monday, Thursday, (whenever) they playing.
“I appreciate him, the relationship we have. It’s going to constantly grow. Moving forward to the Super Bowl, I wish him the best and want him to ball out. I’m behind him always.”
