When Jalen Milroe first arrived at the University of Alabama in January 2022, fresh into his college career as a mid-year enrollee, he encountered Bryce Young in a moment that would set the stage for their shared journey in football. Two days after Young had just led Alabama to a National Championship, he sought out Milroe in the player cafeteria, a gesture that signaled the start of a mentor-mentee relationship. This early connection laid the foundation for a unique bond that grew through their years together on the Crimson Tide and continues to influence their paths in the NFL.
Milroe recalled this moment with a mix of respect and camaraderie:
“That’s the thing, they’re coming off the national championship, right?”
– Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback.
A Brotherhood Within the Quarterback Room
Rather than feeling intimidated, Milroe found an immediate sense of brotherhood with Young, who was not only the consensus All-American but also became a guide throughout college football’s challenges. The quarterback room, often depicted as a competitive and tense environment, was instead a source of mutual support between the two players.
“You would think like there’s a lot of tension in the quarterback room because only one of us is on the field, and it’s not like that everywhere,”
Milroe admitted.
“Everywhere, they have different cultures in the room. (But) when I was in the room with Bryce, that was my brother.”
This brotherly connection was made clear through their celebrations and constant encouragement. Milroe vividly described their shared enthusiasm for each touchdown, reminiscing about how they celebrated together after every score.
“Some people hate, when they’re not playing to get their way, but not with my guy… So when he was on the field, I’m screaming for him. If you look at every touchdown he had, we had a celebration every time he scored. We did a Euro step and followed through.”
A now-famous video from their college days captures Young shifting quickly from celebration to serious business, locked in with head coach Nick Saban, embodying the focused teammate Milroe admired.
Reflecting on this, Milroe said with a smile,
“That was me and him. I mean, we did that every single game.”
Young’s Leadership Style and Unique Mindset
Bryce Young’s leadership extends beyond his physical skills; it lies in his mental approach and emotional control. Milroe explained that a quarterback must have an intense focus while maintaining a “loose focus mentality” to handle the pressures of the position. Young displays this balance expertly.
“Your quarterback has to be the most locked-in guy on the team, and it’s key with the success rate at quarterback, you’ve got to have that loose focus mentality,”
Milroe noted. “He has that.”
Contrary to some beliefs that quarterbacks must be loud and overly emotional, Young’s method is more measured. He saves his fiery passion for the moments it counts, maintaining baseline calm, a trait that made him stand out among Heisman Trophy winners and contributed to his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
“Not every quarterback is the same; we’re all different, and so that happens to be Bryce,”
Milroe observed.
“He’s special and unique.”
“That’s my guy to this day… He’s a great dude. He loves football. He loves everything about it. This is a guy who loves being around his teammates. He’s going to do everything he can to be successful.”
Patience and Perseverance Beyond the College Field
In an era where college football players often transfer seeking starting opportunities, both Young and Milroe displayed unusual patience. Instead of transferring to play immediately, they chose to wait their turn behind established starters, showing grit and determination that is increasingly rare today.
“No, it’s unique. It’s unique because the landscape of college football is soft, and they don’t know what the mindset of grit and determination was that was there before, and it’s so easy to, when you don’t get your way, to go somewhere else and not be grounded,”
Milroe revealed.
“And so to be able to stay grounded, for guys that do that, I tip my cap off to them.”
Milroe admired Young’s resilience as he moved through the challenges of his rookie NFL season with the Carolina Panthers, staying steady no matter the circumstances.
“That’s something that deserves so much credit,”
Milroe said proudly.
“It’s so easy to give up. It’s so easy to frown upon your journey and get discouraged, but the more grounded you are, it shows a respect factor in so many people’s eyes.”
“So, for him, see where his team went, and they won their division. They’re steadily climbing, and so I’m so happy for him.”
Impressive NFL Performances and Ongoing Support
In his NFL debut season, Bryce Young led the Panthers to their first NFC South title since 2015, showcasing his abilities with a 63.6% completion rate, 3,011 passing yards, and a solid touchdown to interception ratio of 23 to 11. Additionally, his mobility added 216 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, proving his versatility as a playmaker.
Meanwhile, Jalen Milroe celebrated his own milestone, being part of the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks roster, where he gained invaluable experience as a backup quarterback behind veterans Sam Darnold and Drew Lock. Despite now playing for different teams, Milroe remains deeply connected to Young, following his progress closely.
“It was so good to see him earlier in the season. We traded jerseys, and it was awesome to see him, awesome to be around him,”
Milroe reflected.
“Although I’m not with him every day like I was, and we’re on a different team, I’m still rooting for him. No matter what team I’m on, I’m going to root for him, and I’m passionate behind Bryce. I’m always going to be passionate about Bryce.”
“I love that guy to this day, you know, because our relationship we built in college, and so no matter what, no matter what team he’s on, no matter what the journey looks like, I’m going to have his back.”
The Lasting Impact of a Collegiate Mentorship on NFL Careers
The story of Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe illustrates the power of mentorship, loyalty, and perseverance in football. Their relationship, beginning in the halls of Alabama and extending into their professional careers, defies common narratives of competition and conflict between quarterbacks. Instead, it highlights the value of mutual respect and support.
As Young continues to lead the Carolina Panthers and Milroe develops with the Seattle Seahawks, their shared experiences are likely to continue shaping their performances and attitudes on and off the field. Their journey together exemplifies how strong bonds forged in college can fuel success and resilience in the demanding environment of the NFL.
