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Jalen Milroe reacts to Lamar Jackson comparison at Reese's Senior Bowl

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp01/27/25
JalenMilroeMercer
Nov 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) kneels in prayer before the Crimson Tide’s game with Mercer at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

The NFL Draft season always brings out some interesting player comparisons, and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has earned one that should raise some eyebrows: to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Among others, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made the comparison back in 2023, noting Milroe is a “bigger, more physical version” of Jackson.

There is, of course, a long way to go to match Jackson’s level of production.

“It’s been evident how he’s played this season,” Milroe said at the Senior Bowl, as relayed by Joe Will of TroyInsider.com. “For someone that aspires to go to the NFL, just seeing as he takes his game to the next level each and every year, him being at the top of the league and him definitely being a top-five quarterback in the NFL, that’s inspiring for sure.”

You can at least understand where the comparison is coming from via the eye test, if not on paper. Jalen Milroe is an elite athlete, a superb runner with the ball in his hands.

He needs considerable work on his passing game, and that’s where the comparison likely falls a little flat.

But his completion percentage actually holds up reasonably well to Jackson’s from his college days at Louisville, even exceeding it pretty steadily. The touchdown-to-interception ratios were fairly similar, too.

However, while Jalen Milroe ran for 1,577 yards and 33 rushing touchdowns in college, Lamar Jackson accounted for 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns.

Needless to say, it’s a comparison that is flattering to Milroe.

“As a young quarterback that’s aspiring to go to the NFL, that definitely puts a smile to my face and I definitely love watching Lamar,” Milroe said. “Secretly I’m actually a Ravens fan. I grew up a Ravens fan, so I pull for the Ravens.”

Where could Jalen Milroe fall in the draft?

Well, a recent NFL mock draft from CBS Sports has Milroe going No. 3 overall, to the New York Giants. And if that happens, with Milroe as a very high first-round draft choice, you can bet the comparisons to Jackson will persist.