Pat McAfee: Jalen Milroe has ‘shades of Lamar Jackson’ to his game

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra09/08/23

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Bobby Burton from Inside Texas explains how Texas Can Contain Jalen Milroe

Pat McAfee is throwing some big praise the way of Jalen Milroe ahead of Alabama’s Week 2 showdown with Texas.

During an appearance live on Get Up on Friday, McAfee compared the Crimson Tide quarterback to former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and revealed he’s expecting another fantastic performance out of Milroe against the Longhorns.

“That Milroe guy, and the flashes we’ve seen from him in the past … it’s hard to compare anybody to Lamar Jackson, and I guess it’s going to happen all the time. Any time a quarterback can run and can make people miss, they’re going to say, ‘Oh, it’s Lamar Jackson,’ just like people did with [Michael] Vick back in the day, just like it probably happened with Steve Young back in the day. But there are shades of Lamar Jackson in this Milroe,” McAfee said. “when you have him on a college football field, he looks like an adult outrunning everybody else.

“I think we’ve got a great game on Saturday night, lucky to be here, pumped to experience the party. … The vibes in Tuscaloosa are immaculate right now.”

Of course, McAfee is in Tuscaloosa preparing for College GameDay on Saturday, as there was only one game they’ve could’ve been on-hand for in Week 2. If Milroe puts up another performance like he did against Middle Tennessee State in Week 1, running and passing in immaculate fashion, he could rocket up Heisman rankings in only two weeks.

Still, it won’t be easy against Texas, who’s out for revenge against Alabama after coming close to beatign the Crimson Tide last season.

McAfee on Texas at Alabama: ‘Great little test of the waters for both of the teams’

Ahead of the game, McAfee also offered up some thoughts on the showdown, believing it’s going to be a prolific battle on Saturday night.

“I think what we should all be excited about is this is the first time seeing this new era of the Alabama football team on a massive stage. Quinn Ewers and that Texas team is going to play fantastic. They know that this is the big one on their schedule. They’re moving to the SEC next year and they know this is what their life is going to be. But their team has been built for this exact moment. And on the other side, Nick Saban and the boys, they’re rebuilding. This is before Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young. This is a power football team that has weapons outside if Milroe’s able to get loose. But you’re going to see the ball run a lot. You’re going to see Milroe get dancing a lot. You’re going to see No. 17 [Isaiah Bond] potentially get a deep shot for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

“It’s almost like they’re under the radar because it’s Georgia’s [league]. I think what we’re going to see here early is whether or not Saban’s new-look team is going to be able to make a run this year. I think it’s great little test of the waters for both of the teams and we’re in for a great one here in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night.”

After a summer of question marks, Jalen Milroe can put any doubt to rest if he has another phenomenal performance for Alabama against Texas. Time will tell, but all eyes will be on the Crimson Tide quarterback come Saturday night.