The depth of No. 2 Alabama’s quarterback room could soon be tested.
During the second quarter against No. 20 Arkansas, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was forced to leave the game and head to the medical tent. He did not return to the game as he went to the locker room.
With Young out, the Crimson Tide turned to backup Jalen Milroe, a redshirt freshman who has appeared in mop-up duties occasionally for the Crimson Tide in his career. And if Young is set to miss any extended time, coach Nick Saban certainly made it sound like it will be Milroe that becomes the starter.
“If Bryce can’t play, Milroe is going to play,” Saban told the CBS broadcast at the half.
Nick Saban at halftime on Bryce Young’s shoulder injury/Jalen Milroe: pic.twitter.com/ahgNLZluka
— Alex Byington (@_AlexByington) October 1, 2022
MORE: Bryce Young injury update
What do you need to know about Milroe? The Sporting News dives into Alabama’s new quarterback.
Jalen Milroe career stats
To this point, Milroe has not logged a lot of playing time in his career. He appeared in four games as a true freshman in 2021, completing 3-of-7 passes for 41 yards with a touchdown, while rushing 15 times for 57 yards. The combined final score in those games was 214-44.
Milroe had appeared in three of the Crimson Tide’s previous four games and has gained a bit more experience passing this season as he has completed 12-of-18 passes for 86 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He has also rushed six times for 72 yards.
Last year, Paul Tyson was the primary backup for Young, but the backup duties have almost exclusively gone to Milroe in 2022. The only other player besides Young and Milroe to attempt a pass to this point in the year is true freshman Ty Simpson, who has completed 2-of-3 passes for 15 yards.
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Jalen Milroe 247 rating
Milroe arrived at Alabama considered one of the top quarterback recruits in the country in 2021.
According to 247Sports Composite Rankings, Milroe, a four-star recruit, was the No. 82 prospect in the nation and No. 13 quarterback. He was also the No. 14 player in the state of Texas.
247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks compared Milroe to former Tennessee quarterback and current Browns backup Joshua Dobbs. He described Milroe as a “true dual-threat with necessary tools as a passer and runner” with the arm strength to open up the passing game downfield. He also said Milroe’s speed is “very good top-end speed” for the position.
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Alabama QB depth chart
Given Milroe’s experience, he would certainly top the depth chart should Young miss any extended time. But the Crimson Tide have a few other quarterbacks on their roster should they need to look for other options.
Ty Simpson
The true freshman Simpson is the only quarterback that could potentially make a case for the starting spot with Young out. Simpson was the No. 26 recruit in the country, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings, and was listed as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2022 class. The five-star QB was also listed as the second-best recruit in the state of Tennessee.
Amanni Stewart
The next two names on this list are likely interchangeable. Stewart is more of a pocket-passing quarterback, but has the ability to be a powerful runner if called on.
Cade Carruth
Carruth is a preferred walk-on and is a pocket-passing quarterback.
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