Kane Wommack isn't the one calling plays for Alabama football quarterback Jalen Milroe. But Milroe is currently part of a mantra the Alabama defensive coordinator has carried at each coaching stop.
"I've always said a quarterback and a punter are a defensive coordinator's two best friends," Wommack said. "And so I like to hang out with my friends every now and then and encourage them."
Wommack said Milroe has a "gravitational pull" in the way he carries himself. Milroe is clearly talented, Wommack said, one that warrants a level of "attention and fame." In Milroe, Wommack doesn't see a quarterback who puts that at the forefront.
"(He) doesn't ever walk by you in the hallway without saying hello or asking about your family, asking how you're doing," Wommack said. "And I think a guy like that is just really impressive, to me, the way he carries himself. I enjoy being around him. I enjoy talking to him all the time."
Wommack also recognizes the role Milroe has played in the run Alabama's in the middle of.
In the last three games, Milroe has eight touchdowns — six of which have been rushing scores. Milroe is averaging more than 262 total yards in the Crimson Tide 's past three wins against Missouri , LSU and Mercer.
It's something Wommack said he pointed to as he talked to Milroe on the field after the Mercer win.
"I think the way that he has battled through some of the adversities that we've had this season is really impressive, and that's really what that conversation was about," Wommack said. "Here we are on the back end of the season in November, battling our asses off every single week, and I think he's a huge reason of why we've been able to have success in this moment."
Alabama takes on Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC.
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: Kane Wommack describes relationship with Alabama football QB Jalen Milroe
