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Jalen Milroe will begin at quarterback for Alabama in Saturday’s season opener in opposition to Center Tennessee, sources instructed ESPN on Friday.

Milroe, a redshirt sophomore, had been competing for the job this preseason together with Notre Dame switch Tyler Buchner, redshirt freshmen Ty Simpson and true freshman Dylan Lonergan.

Milroe began for the injured Bryce Younger in a victory in opposition to Texas A&M final season, ending 12-of-19 for 111 yards and three touchdowns. He additionally rushed for 81 yards however dedicated three turnovers.

Whereas Milroe took many of the first-team repetitions amongst Alabama quarterbacks this preseason, sources instructed ESPN that he is not essentially locked in because the starter for your complete season.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder is likely one of the workforce’s most dynamic gamers and he has an especially robust arm. Certainly one of his priorities this offseason was turning into a extra correct passer.

The Crimson Tide introduced in Buchner as a switch following spring observe in April. He performed beneath first-year Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees at Notre Dame and entered the 2022 season because the Irish starter earlier than injuring a shoulder in Week 2 and lacking the rest of the common season.

Milroe and Simpson selected to remain at Alabama to compete for the job as an alternative of transferring elsewhere. Milroe made loads of headway this summer time and preseason at successful over the locker room together with his work ethic and management, sources instructed ESPN. He was the No. 112-ranked prospect within the ESPN 300 popping out of highschool in Katy, Texas.

Alabama coach Nick Saban instructed ESPN this summer time that he wasn’t in a rush to call a starter and wished to see how the preseason performed out earlier than making a call.

Lonergan, from Snellville, Georgia, is likely to be one of the best pure passer of the bunch. He impressed together with his accuracy this preseason however wants some expertise to be able to play.

Younger, the No. 1 total decide within the 2023 NFL draft, was the fourth straight future NFL starter to play quarterback at Alabama, following Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. Jones and Tagovailoa had been each first-round draft picks, and Hurts was a second-rounder.