Jalen Milroe knows what Alabama football Pro Days look like. He was a spectator for both Mac Jones ' and Bryce Young 's.
On Wednesday, when it was Milroe's turn to take center stage, it proved to be surreal, one he described as another "opportunity" in the process, another "opportunity" to throw with players like Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard.
"Just one step closer to knowing where home's at," Milroe said.
But it was also a chance for Milroe to show what he could do with something to prove.
The Alabama quarterback chose to skip the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in Indianapolis . Citing that "a lot of people wanted me to run" the 40 at Pro Day, Milroe obliged, saying "I gave everybody what they wanted."
Results were mixed. Alabama football reported a 4.37. SEC Network reported a 4.5-to-4.52 on his first try, and a 4.44-to-4.6 on his second. His official time was 4.40.
Milroe was satisfied, taking the 4.37 as gospel, saying he strove to run a 4.3, which he said he accomplished.
It was part of his pitch, he said, what separates Milroe from other quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class.
"There's a lot of things other quarterbacks, that they do well that I can do," Milroe said. "But there's things I can do that they can't do. And that's something I use as an advantage when I play the game of football and always when I approach a game plan and I approach an opponent. I'm not one-dimensional."
Milroe's numbers at Alabama in 2024 were unique among the 2025 draft class, leading the Crimson Tide in both rushing (726 rushing yards) and rushing touchdowns (20), along with a 64.3% completion rate, 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Milroe showed off his arm too, completing more than 80% of his throws to Williams, Bernard, Rico Scott, Isaiah Horton and Jam Miller , along with NFL-bound tight ends Robbie Ouzts and CJ Dippre . The script, laid out by quarterbacks coach Jordan Palmer , showcased a plethora of throws, including impressive deep balls to Williams and Horton.
But Milroe realized he's not a finished product, another attribute he says he possesses.
"Most importantly, I love football," Milroe said. "And when you love football, you want to get better. When you want to get better, you are also going to bring others along because you love the game and you want to win at all costs."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Jalen Milroe had to prove at Alabama football Pro Day 2025
