The 2023 sixth place finisher in Heisman Trophy voting showed big play ability in Alabama’s spring finale under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
The Alabama Crimson Tide held its annual A-Day spring football finale this past Saturday, giving fans their first chance to see new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense at work. DeBoer’s downfield vertical passing schemes combined with returning starting quarterback Jalen Milroe’s ability to pass the ball deep has the Crimson Tide faithful daydreaming of another trip to the College Football Playoff.
How did Milroe do in front of spectators inside Bryant-Denny Stadium? He completed three of his nine passes for 100 yards while leading two scoring drives. The black non-contact jersey neutralized the threat his legs would bring in a live game this fall, but for a spring game in a new offense, Milroe performed well.
Milroe opened the spring scrimmage with what appears to be a read-option as he’s deciding to give or pull the ball based on Quandarius Robinson’s movement off the edge. Robinson hesitates, therefore Milroe correctly gives the ball off to Jam Miller for a big gain to start the drive.
Milroe gets away with one on the second play of the series as it appears Jah-Marien Latham and Tim Smith each tap him in the backfield for a sack, but he avoids the pressure from the blitz off the edge and gains eight yards.
After a short handoff for a first down, Milroe connects with Germie Bernard for his first big reception of the day. The Crimson Tide signal caller stays calm inside a well-built pocket, gives Bernard a pump fake and then lets it fly confidently. Could a better throw have resulted in a touchdown? Certainly, but at this stage of the relationship between Milroe and Bernard, it’s a great sign to find him for a 40-yard strike. A simple handoff to Justice Haynes from five yards away finished off the drive for a touchdown.
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