When evaluating Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, the obvious pro comparison is Jalen Hurts, a former starter for the Crimson Tide. The two have a similar build and playing style, are both from the Houston area and have led Alabama to the College Football Playoff, among other achievements.

“If he keeps winning and getting better, he will keep rising,” an AFC scout told The Athletic’s Dane Brugler about Milroe. ‘He has to continue to work on some things. But look at Hurts on Sundays, why can’t Milroe do that?’

So far in 2024, Milroe has thrown for 590 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions, completing 67.3 percent of his passes while recording five sacks. He’s also rushed for 156 yards and six touchdowns, the kind of numbers that, if he keeps up, will keep him firmly in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Granted, that production is against Western Kentucky, USF and Wisconsin. The real test will come once the Crimson Tide get into their SEC schedule, with the first huge test coming this Saturday against Georgia. Tough matchups against Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma and Auburn also loom.

But if Milroe can pass that gauntlet with flying colors, he’ll have the NFL on notice and could very well be the first quarterback off the board in the 2025 draft. At the very least, he seems like a potential candidate for the first round.