Everyone thought the world was ending when Nick Saban packed up his office. Seriously. The sky was falling in Tuscaloosa, and the biggest question mark wasn't just the coach—it was who’d be taking snaps. If you followed the Alabama football quarterback 2024 saga, you know it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. It was a year of "what-ifs," massive deep balls, and some of the most frustrating turnovers we've seen at Bryant-Denny in a decade.
Jalen Milroe was the guy. Period. Despite the noise from the stands and the constant "put in Ty Simpson" tweets, Kalen DeBoer hitched his wagon to number four. It was a gamble that defined the season.
The Milroe Rollercoaster: Highs, Lows, and Everything Between
Look at the stats and you’ll see a dual-threat monster. Milroe finished the 2024 regular season with 2,844 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. But those 11 interceptions? They hurt. They especially hurt in games like the loss to Oklahoma, where the offense just seemed to stall out entirely.
Yet, when he was "on," he was untouchable. Remember the Georgia game? That was Milroe at his absolute peak. He looked like a Heisman winner that night, shredding a defense that usually eats quarterbacks for breakfast. He ran for over 700 yards and a staggering 20 rushing touchdowns on the season. That’s not a typo. Twenty.
The problem was consistency. DeBoer’s offense is built on timing and quick decisions—the "gimmes" as he calls them. Milroe, for all his physical gifts, sometimes struggled to take the five-yard out when he could see a 50-yard bomb developing. It led to some "hero ball" moments that backfired spectacularly.
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Why DeBoer Stuck With Him
Honestly, it came down to loyalty and locker room presence. Milroe didn't jump ship when Saban retired. He stayed. He led. In the chaotic world of the transfer portal, that meant something to the new coaching staff.
- Leadership: Milroe was a two-time captain. The team followed him.
- The "Eyes": DeBoer famously said he stayed with Milroe because of the "fight in his eyes," even after a disastrous three-turnover first quarter in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
- Stability: Switching quarterbacks mid-season in year one of a new regime is a recipe for a locker room split.
The Depth Chart Nobody Talks About
While Milroe took the brunt of the criticism, the guys behind him weren't just decorative. Ty Simpson remained the primary backup, and frankly, he might be the best backup in the country. He’s a redshirt sophomore who has shown he can move the chains, but he never got the nod to start.
Then you have the young guns. Austin Mack followed DeBoer from Washington, bringing a massive frame and a high football IQ. Dylan Lonergan stayed in the mix too, showing off a live arm in practice. Towards the end of the year, everyone started whispering about Keelon Russell, the true freshman who looks like the future of the program.
It was a crowded room. A talented room. But it was a room that stayed remarkably quiet while the fans were screaming for change.
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What Really Happened in the ReliaQuest Bowl?
The 19-13 loss to Michigan was a microcosm of the whole Alabama football quarterback 2024 experience. Rain. Fumbles. Interceptions. Milroe turned it over three times in the first four offensive snaps.
It was brutal to watch.
Most coaches would have pulled the starter right then. DeBoer didn't. He wanted to see his senior (well, redshirt junior) leader pull through. It didn't happen, and Alabama finished with a record that felt "un-Bama-like." Falling short of 10 wins is basically a disaster in Tuscaloosa, even if most programs would kill for a 9-4 season.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Transition
Now that the 2024 season is in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts. Milroe is gone to the NFL, leaving a massive void and a wide-open competition. If you're looking to keep tabs on what happens next, here is how you should evaluate the upcoming spring camp:
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Watch the "Gimmes": The 2024 season proved that DeBoer’s offense needs a point guard. The quarterback who can consistently hit the short, high-percentage throws will likely win the job. Efficiency beats explosive highlights every time in this system.
Monitor the Keelon Russell Hype: Don't be surprised if the freshman pushes Ty Simpson for the starting role earlier than expected. Reports from winter conditioning suggest he has the highest ceiling of the group.
Track the Transfer Portal: Even with a talented room, keep an eye on late spring entries. If DeBoer isn't satisfied with the "processing speed" of his current QBs, he might look for a veteran one-year fix.
The 2024 season wasn't a failure, but it was a transition. It was the year Alabama learned how to live without the GOAT on the sidelines, and Jalen Milroe was the lightning rod for that entire process. Now, the page turns to a new era where "loyalty" might take a backseat to pure offensive efficiency.