Interview: 4-Star 2021 Texas QB Jalen Milroe Talks Growth on the Field
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is something special going on at Tompkins High School, and that something special has a lot to do with the play in the pocket for the Falcons. After a winless 2017 season going against 6A Texas competition, the Falcons have posted a 21-5 record over the past two campaigns transforming into that squad others do not want to play. One of the reasons, the four-star Class of 2021 quarterback slinging the ball around the field – Jalen Milroe.
A technician with a gun for an arm and wheels that can breakdown defenses is starting to come into his own. Milroe’s affect on the Falcons was immediate completing 98 of 175 passes for 1,404 yards with 10 touchdowns while carrying the rock 124 times for 613 yards with 10 trips into the end zone as a sophomore. His junior season showed his growth within the offense and poise leading his team working his craft behind the line of scrimmage for that play downfield completing 117 of 177 attempts for 2,404 yards with 27 scores and rushing for 335 yards with eight touchdowns off 63 totes. Miroe’s play earned All District MVP honors in 2019.
As the play of the 6-3, 194-pound, QB improved, college programs from across the country reached into the Lone Star State to offer Milroe. So far, 21 teams have offered by the recruiting process came to a halt on July 21, 2019, with a verbal commitment to the University of Texas.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the country’s best 2021 dual-threat quarterbacks learning more about his game and his leadership style on and off the field.
Interview
Jalen, the 2019 season was big for you in so many ways, none perhaps as important as the growth in your skillset from your sophomore to junior season. What were some of the areas of your game that improved with your passing talents?
“What factored most is the work put in on my game in the offseason. My first year on varsity was in 2018. I was building a relationship with the varsity guys and trying to help the team out as much as possible then. We were 0-9 my freshman season, and went 10-3 and into the playoffs in 2018. This year we went 11-2, lost in the third round again.
“It took a lot of hard work for us, the leadership, being goal driven, and finding ways for us to get better. The team bond we had was great. We cooked for each other, we hung out together, and went out to dinner together. We had more of a bond than we did during my freshman year. We had the relationship to trust the guy next to you knowing he will put best foot forward and do best.
“For me at my position at QB, I was trying to make sure everyone is locked in, working hard, and had the same mentality and goals as the collective team.”
What style of offense did the Falcons run in 2019?
“We ran a variation of the Spread and Air Raid.”
Which routes were you throwing to this past season?
“We ran slants, skinny posts – glances, digs, some comebacks and flat routes. Some fades too.”
When you line up for a snap, what is your pre-snap routine?
“Before the snap I would look into the box and call out the line protection. My pre-snap read looks to see if they are solid, odd, or a split front. I would check the running back, that effects the call. Then I would read the rest of the defense, their line front, go into my cadence, then look to see where I want to place the ball – are they switching protection to that side; are they in a Cover 2, 3 or 4?”
How were defenses scheming against you?
“Different teams switched it up. We would watch film on them from their last game, and they switched up their defense against us. We saw solid fronts and man to man in zero coverage. I would have a Mike spy me. They liked to blitz me. Some teams would try to get me to go through my reads or get me out of the pocket. Some teams bring would bring as much pressure as possible.”
In what ways did you see your understanding of defenses grow this past season?
“It was big, actually. My freshman year, it was not as crucial reading defenses. My offseason to my sophomore season, I was on the chalkboard, watching film, ID-ing coverages and fronts. That was a key to prep for the season. My growth through my junior season, before snapping the ball I knew the front and alignment. I knew their limitations and how to pick them apart. I have a great relationship with our OC to know where a defense will be weakest because of film and our prep during the week.”
Which game in 2019 was your best game?
“My best game was against Katy. I threw 425 yards and was 60-plus percent passing. My leadership coming into the game was another thing. Katy is a great team. To win, it needed to be a whole team win. We had to show what the Falcons were made of. That was the best defense we were going to face all year.
“If you look at how hard we played in that game, the trusting of each other, and we kept on playing. It was back and forth until halftime. They went up, but we fought all the way to the end but ran out of time (lost 35-30). We played with a lot of grit that game.”
Watching the Texas Longhorns play as a verbal commit, what are you focusing on and trying to learn?
“I am trying to learn the offense. I am not a finished product. I am trying to learn to be the best QB and best version of me that I can be for my team and for the University of Texas. I am learning the schemes, ID-ing defenses, and learning the offensive line block calls. Being comfortable around the team, I am learning how to run their offense and I am building a relationship with the people in the program. I have been going up there since spring ball my freshman year, I am always working on building a greater relationship with everyone at Texas.”
How does the Longhorns’ system fit your skills?
“The greatest thing about the program and about their offense, we run a variation of that at Tompkins. I am comfortable with it because I am running it at my school. That is the best thing about it.”
What are you doing this offseason to work on your game?
“The first thing I am doing is working on my game by improving my strength. I am in the weight room trying to get my numbers up. I am doing speed training, on the chalkboard, and watching film to make my strengths stronger. I am working to get better in the classroom with my academics as well. I am watching film going over my film from this past year to improve. On the field, the goal is to improve every day. I am working to get better for next year.”
When will you get the guys back onto the field to start throwing in preparation for the 2020 season?
“I have already been working out and throwing already. After our Christmas break, I will get everyone together before spring ball to start throwing again.”
Jalen, it was great covering all this ground with you today. I appreciate your time today and wish you success over the offseason working on your game.
“Thank you.”
Milroe’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Northwestern, Oregon, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, Toledo, Utah State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech
Photo credit: Milroe family; Jalen Milroe at Texas