When Kalen DeBoer stepped to the tee at the Senior Bowl Charity Classic in Fairhope this week, it wasn’t just a casual day on the course. Alabama’s HC found himself fielding questions not about his golf swing but about one of his former quarterbacks who just made waves in the NFL Draft. Jalen Milroe, who turned the page on a chaotic draft process by going No. 92 overall to the Seattle Seahawks, has left the SEC behind and is now headed for the Pacific Northwest. “I like the fit,” DeBoer said plainly, his words carrying the weight of someone who’s seen both the player and the city up close.
“He’s just getting a chance to see a different part of the country,” DeBoer added. “He’s only lived in the South, and that’s what life’s all about.” But this isn’t just a story about geography. It’s about timing, maturity, and perhaps the perfect marriage of scheme and skillset. Kalen DeBoer, who coached Jalen Milroe in 2024 after arriving from Washington, knows the Seahawks well. His past two seasons were spent leading the Huskies in that same Emerald City, and he sees more than coincidence in the landing spot.
“I think the other piece is just a fit,” DeBoer said of Milroe joining Seattle. “And he had told me that he really felt there was a fit with him when he had his meetings with [the Seahawks] before the draft.” Milroe was projected all over the board throughout the pre-draft cycle, drawing both praise for his athleticism and criticism for inconsistencies in pocket rhythm and anticipation. But when push came to shove, the Seahawks trusted the tools—and the man behind them.
“There were other places, too, I think he would have been a great, great fit, but this was certainly one of them he noted,” DeBoer continued. “I’m looking forward to really seeing his growth and development. He’s a guy of humility and knows he doesn’t have it all figured out yet, and so really that’s what’s gonna allow him to continue to grow, continue to get better. But he’s got the tools.” Those tools—dynamic speed, a cannon arm, and off-script creativity—can be dangerous weapons in a modern NFL offense. Especially one trending toward RPO-heavy schemes and improvisation-friendly playbooks. Milroe’s development may no longer be Alabama’s story, but DeBoer made it clear: his journey is far from finished.
Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images
And here’s where it gets futuristic. What if the next step in Milroe’s evolution doesn’t come on the practice field but in the headset? A new wave of NFL QBs are turning to virtual reality to refine their mental processing, and Jalen Milroe is reportedly the latest to join the movement.
The Seahawks are handing their rookie signal-caller a high-tech tool built by a German company named Cognilize. If that sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, just look at what it did for another SEC Heisman winner. The same platform was first adopted at LSU last year, where it was credited with helping Jayden Daniels “read defenses 80% faster” en route to 50 touchdowns and a national spotlight.
That’s the kind of margin NFL teams obsess over—fractions of a second in processing speed that translate to real yards on Sundays. According to Pro Football Network, Milroe will now have access to this tech with the Seahawks, allowing him to simulate game-speed reps in 360-degree VR. For a player often scrutinized for his read progression and in-pocket feel, this could be a game-changer. Last season, the Commanders were the only NFL team using VR. This tech was a game-changer in the Commanders’ 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions, with their $37.75 million QB throwing for 299 yards and 2 TDs.
Now, Milroe didn’t just beat the odds. He spun them on their heads. From being questioned as a Day 3 flyer to becoming the fourth quarterback off the board, he shut down the noise in emphatic fashion. And now, as he laces up in a Seahawks locker room that has seen its share of QB transitions since Russell Wilson.
Nick Saban cheers on Jalen Milroe’s NFL leap
Nick Saban might be retired, but he’s still very much dialed in—especially when it comes to his former QB, Jalen Milroe. When the Seahawks called Milroe’s name as the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t just a big moment for Milroe—it was also a proud one for the legendary coach who helped shape him.
Saban, who shared a close bond with Milroe during their time together at Alabama, didn’t hold back in praising the young QB. With a blazing 4.37 speed in the 40, Milroe is a true dual-threat who can sling it too—just look at his college stats last season: 2844 passing yards, 726 rushing yards, and 36 TDs (though with 11 picks). While he acknowledged Milroe still needs a little refinement and consistency in the passing game, Saban clearly believes the foundation is solid.
What stood out most, though, was Saban’s appreciation for Milroe’s resilience. “It says a lot about a young man who had a bad game against Texas two years ago,” Saban recalled. “We benched him for a game; he came back and was the leader of our team and took us all the way to playoffs and lost to Michigan.”
Saban summed it up best: “That kind of ability to overcome adversity is going to be an asset for him in the future.” The Seahawks might’ve found a hidden gem.
The post Kalen DeBoer’s Big Jalen Milroe Admission Puts NFL on Notice as Seahawks Star Follows $37.75M QB’s Playbook appeared first on EssentiallySports.
