Jalen Milroe: Benching at USF game was 'one of the greatest things that could have happened to me'

Jalen Milroe was not in a good spot after Alabama’s loss to Texas, even to the point of Nick Saban benching him for their next game. However, it was from that moment on that his season changed for the better and it was all because of how he approached and viewed that decision.

Milroe spoke about being benched for the Tides’ matchup with USF in an interview on ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’. It was, surprisingly enough to hear, something he described as the best thing for him at that moment.

“It was a process,” said Milroe. “I think that’s one of the greatest things that could’ve happened to me was that time right there.”

That decision that left him on the sidelines against the Bulls forced Milroe to think differently. It provided a challenge for him to overcome, which he did by keeping within his inner circle and controlling what was within his control.

“I learned a lot about myself and I learned about how to truly get through adversity. A lot of people can see adversity and fear from it. I changed my perspective to face everything and rise,” Milroe said. “Throughout that journey, all I did was lean on my supporting cast that’s around me and not any external factors. When you look at external factors, they can waver you away from your goals. That’s something that I took pride in. Not really looking at external factors and not worrying about things that I can’t control.”

“During that time, you can look at a lot of things that are uncontrollable instead of the things that are controllable. What I can control is my attitude around my teammates. What I can control is how long I’m in the film room. I can control what I’m eating and my body. I can control how prepared I am if I was going in the game. I can control how great of a teammate I am throughout the process,” said Milroe. “It’s a lot of things that I can control instead of the uncontrollable. The uncontrollable is the decision to bench me. I look at the controllable, look at how I can benefit from this situation. To look at it, there were some things that I did to improve as a player. Prove my mindset, strengthen my mindset. Seeing who was truly for me and not against me.”

After completing just 51.9% of his passes and throwing two picks in a 10-point loss to the Longhorns, Milroe didn’t see the field the following week against USF. That 17-3 win was an odd and sluggish one as Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner both played and combined for 43.5% completion, 107 yards, and no scores.

Milroe then returned to the lineup and, from there, led a great season for himself and for ‘Bama. He’d go on to throw for 2,385 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only four picks on 68.2% completion over the last 11 games. He also rushed for 10 more scores to bring the total from that span to 28 trips to the endzone.

Alabama would go from there to win 10 consecutive games, including one over Georiga in the SEC Championship. They then made the College Football Playoff and were a couple plays away from advancing to the national championship but ultimately fell in overtime to Michigan in The Rose Bowl.

Milroe might have figured it out eventually with or without the benching. Still, he credits that moment as one that changed him for the better and as one that he’s certainly grateful for today.

“I learned a lot through that process but I can truly say that I’m glad it happened,” said Milroe. “I’m glad it happened. I’m glad it took place because it benefitted me in the long run.”