Which quarterbacks could the Buccaneers target in 2025 NFL Draft?
By Brad Smith
Jalen Milroe, QB/Alabama
Over the past five years, Alabama has been dubbed as one of the nation's top quarterback factories, and for good reason. Since 2020, Miami's Tua Tagovailoa, Jacksonville's Mac Jones, and Carolina's Bryce Young have been first-round picks and have each showed flashes early into their respective careers. The next former quarterback from the Tide to show success in the NFL could be Milroe, who has already been talked as next year's No. 1 pick.
After redshirting as a freshman in 2021 and backing up Bryce Young in 2022, Milroe took the nation by storm in his first season as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback. In 13 starts, Milroe completed 187-284 (65.8%) pass attempts for 2,834 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 172.2 passer rating.
That said, what truly separates Milroe from the other quarterbacks on this list is his renowned rushing ability. Last season, Milroe took 161 carries for 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, with both marks leading all quarterbacks in college football. As a result, Milroe earned his first All-SEC Second Team nod, as well as being named a finalist for the Manning Award, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, and the Davey O'Brien Award.
At 6'2" and 220 pounds, Milroe has the physical build and speed of a solid running back, and is still one of the best pocket passers in the class. Milroe has the arm strength to generate and drive ample velocity even without full hip rotation, and can keep his shoulders level as an off-platform passer, giving him an immense amount of accuracy on "broken plays".
Above all, Milroe showed a tremendous amount of resilience at the start of the season after throwing two interceptions in a 24-34 loss to Texas in week two. Two weeks later, Milroe was given the starting nod, and never looked back, leading Alabama to ten straight wins and back to the College Football Playoff, before falling to the eventual-champion Michigan Wolverines in a tight Cotton Bowl battle.