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Jalen Milroe claps back at Bill O'Brien suggesting he change positions: 'Look where I'm at right now'

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby: On3 Staff Report12/28/23
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John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is no stranger to being doubted, sometimes even by those closest to him. Like former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

Milroe made a shocking revelation on Thursday in a media availability before the College Football Playoff semifinal. He’s been doubted as a quarterback by plenty of people, apparently including O’Brien.

“All my life, even when I was in college,” Milroe said. “My own offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien told me I shouldn’t play quarterback. So there’s a lot of things I can have motivation on, and that’s something I have motivation on.”

Milroe certainly used O’Brien’s suggestion as fuel for the fire, eventually working his way into the starting role for the Crimson Tide. The ride wasn’t necessarily smooth, though.

Alabama benched Milroe following the second game of the 2023 season. After he got his job back, though, things were different. Milroe turned himself into a star, finishing sixth in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting.

He never took too kindly to the suggestion from O’Brien.

“How would you feel if I told you you suck?” Milroe asked a reporter, who then responded not very good. “OK then, so that’s exactly how I felt. Biggest thing for me, be true to myself and stay the same. Nothing changed about me. The only thing that changed was I had the opportunity and I seized it.”

Not only did Milroe seize it this season, he did so well enough to help lead Alabama to the College Football Playoffs, where the Crimson Tide will have a chance to compete for a national title.

No wide receiver for Jalen Milroe. No running back.

“He told me a bunch of positions I could have switched to, but look where I’m at right now,” Milroe said. “So who gets the last laugh?”

Milroe finished the regular season with 2,718 yards passing and 23 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He also ran for 468 yards and 12 touchdowns, proving an elite dual-threat quarterback in the process.

He’ll look to continue that success in the Rose Bowl when Alabama vies for a shot at a national title by taking on Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal game.

The Rose Bowl will be played on New Year’s Day, kicking off a 5 p.m. ET with a national broadcast on ESPN.