As recently as a couple months ago, NFL scouts shared feedback about Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe that pegged him as a Day 3 prospect, with the eventual outlook as a a backup or developmental practice squad-level player.
A lot's changed since that point.
Last week, a scout told CBS Sports the dynamic Milroe was already emerging as a legitimate top-three round possibility. Now, coming off Milroe's 491-yard and four-touchdown performance versus Georgia, his draft outlook continues to improve.
Multiple NFL personnel staffers said this week they believe an NFL team could take a shot on Milroe as early as the first round of the 2025 draft if he continues to play like he has through the Crimson Tide's first four games.
"Jalen went out there and basically did everything (against Georgia), throwing the ball to running the ball to making big time plays. Jalen did it all," an NFL scout said. "I thought he looked really, really good. And to do it against a team like that, even more impressive."
After compiling 2,834 passing yards, 531 rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns last year in his first season as Alabama's starting QB, scouts have now seen clear progression from Milroe under new Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
Milroe has accounted for multiple passing touchdowns and multiple rushing touchdowns in each of Alabama's first four games, including two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in the 41-34 victory over Georgia. In addition, he finished the game with a career-high 374 passing yards along with 117 rushing yards, vaulting him atop Heisman Trophy odds.
Milroe is the only FBS QB since 2000 with multiple pass touchdowns and multiple rushing touchdowns in each of his team's first four games of a season.
"Those traits are really hard to find," an NFL scouting source said. "Obviously he's a good football player and that skill set is unique just because he's got a big arm and he's a heck of an athlete. He's not going to be like your Carson Beck drop-back pocket passer. He's got more of a unique skill set. He kind of fits the mold of the more recent QBs like Jayden Daniels, the guys that can throw it and they can run it, like Justin Fields. I think teams are more open to that skill set now because they've seen guys come in the league and be successful."
