Loyalty in college football today is a rare gem, and Jalen Milroe's dedication to Alabama is a testament to that. Amidst swirling offers and the uncertainty following Nick Saban's unexpected retirement, Milroe chose to remain with the Crimson Tide, embodying a commitment that speaks volumes.
On the "Closed on Sundays" podcast with former Alabama DBs Pat Surtain II and Terrion Arnold, Milroe revealed the staggering offers he received to transfer. Despite the challenges he faced during his season under Kalen DeBoer, Milroe's name was among the most prominent quarterbacks returning in 2024.
In his debut season as Alabama's starter in 2023, which coincided with Saban's final year, Milroe shone brightly. He secured a sixth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting and led the team to an SEC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Tide's journey ended in a nail-biting overtime loss to Michigan, the eventual national champions.
The offseason was rife with lucrative offers for Milroe, with figures exceeding $2.5 million being dangled to lure him away. Yet, he stood firm, prioritizing his loyalty to Alabama over financial gain.
"I was offered so much money to leave, like from any school I wanted to go to," Milroe shared. "I'm talking about more than $2.5 million.
It would've been easy to just leave, go chase that dollar sign, play one more year in college. ... I don't even know who our coach is gonna be.
Day by day, this person is in the portal, I don't even know who is going to be on offense. A lot of people are gonna criticize how we played in year one under Coach DeBoer, but a lot is involved with that.
I thought it was the right decision to stay."
Even though the 2024 season didn't unfold as hoped, Milroe and his fellow Saban-era players are cherished figures in Tuscaloosa. Their decision to stay reflects a deep-seated love for the university and the Crimson Tide legacy, transcending the allure of monetary gain.
Ty Simpson's story echoes this sentiment. He, too, resisted the temptation to transfer, despite enticing offers from Miami, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Simpson's decision to remain, even when the draft beckoned, underscores a shared dedication with Milroe.
Milroe could have easily opted for the transfer portal, potentially boosting his draft stock and earnings. Instead, he chose to cement his legacy as an Alabama quarterback, a decision that resonates with fans and exemplifies true loyalty.