FSU football fans couldn't wait for the 2024 season to end, Mike Norvell to assemble a new staff, and acquire better talent on the roster with the Noles opening the 2025 season against Alabama.
That game was interesting for several reasons. The Crimson Tide doesn't look the same without Nick Saban on its sidelines. They went 9-4 this season, including losing its bowl game against a seven-win Michigan team. Would quarterback Jalen Milroe return or declare for the 2025 NFL Draft?
#Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is officially entering the 2025 NFL Draft. He finished this season with 2,844 passing yards, 726 rushing yards and 36 total TDs (20 rushing, 16 passing). pic.twitter.com/iujizBjZtz
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) January 2, 2025
It looks like we have our answer as of Thursday afternoon. I've laughed at folks who thought he was a good quarterback. He has shown who he is when going against teams that can get pressure and make him throw the ball.
A team will take a chance on him, and the general manager will likely get fired in a couple of years if they try to throw him in the starting lineup early. If Milroe returned for the 2025 season, I thought that would give FSU an edge.
There's plenty of film on him that FSU's Tony White could pour over and game plan. The 3-3-5 multiple looks would be great against someone like him who struggles to read coverages against pressure or throw with anticipation over the middle of a defense.
Now, Alabama will feature a new guy with many more unknowns going into the 2025 opener. While FSU will have a new scheme and several new players under its new defensive coordinator, it's less of an advantage than had Milroe returned.
Alabama fans don't seem too upset he's not returning, which supports my sentiments it would have been better for FSU had he returned in 2025.