Jalen Milroe explains decision to play for Kalen DeBoer in 2024: 'Home was here in Alabama'

Jalen Milroe returns to Alabama in 2024 as the centerpiece and leader to Kalen DeBoer’s first Crimson Tide team.

However, the second-year starting quarterback made his decision to return for his senior year in Tuscaloosa before Nick Saban’s retirement in January. Getting to play for DeBoer this season has been a smooth transition in that respect.

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“Initially, when the season ended and coming into right now, it’s all about setting goals and also worrying about unfinished business,” Milroe said on Wednesday. “And we didn’t finish the page how we wanted to from our 2023 season. Transitioning into the offseason was all about, as a group, as a team, it was reflecting and building off of the 2023 season. Home was here in Alabama.”

Milroe said that when he arrived on campus ahead of the 2021 season, one of his goals was to finish his degree in three years. He was able to accomplish that this past December. He wanted to obtain his master’s degree next, which let to an easy decision to play for Kalen DeBoer in 2024.

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After spending an entire season at quarterback for the Crimson Tide — which included him getting benched against USF, bounce back and lead Alabama to an SEC Championship over two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs and was a score away from punching the Tide’s ticket to the national championship game.

“I mentioned that because before any external factor transpires within a season, within the offseason, is all about reflecting on your goals,” Milroe continued. “I had goals I want to accomplish. I wanted to improve as a leader, as a quarterback. Of course, I accomplished my degree and there’s no better place I wanted to do that in Alabama.

“I have great guys in the locker room, with Tyler Booker, with Malachi Moore, Deontae Lawson, and the list goes on that I can reflect on, lean on those guys because I don’t think it’s just a one man show or a self-made decision. I don’t believe in the self-made, [I believe] it takes a team, a village to support you and uplift you along your journey. That’s something I’ve had since I’ve been the quarterback of Alabama.”

With Milroe leading their effort, the Kalen DeBoer era will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.