4-star 2021 QB Jalen Milroe feels he would be a fit at Texas

The Texas Longhorns have extended only one offer at the quarterback position in the 2021 class thus far, but one of the nation’s more versatile gunslingers has the wherewithal to fit Tom Herman's offense.

Soon-to-be junior Katy Tompkins quarterback Jalen Milroe is currently on the rise after flashing some intriguing attributes in his first year on varsity as the starter. In his efforts as a true dual-threat signal caller, Milroe helped transform a Tompkins program that was winless during his freshman year into a playoff-bound promising squad that went 10-3 last season. Milroe finished the season with 1,420 yards through the air, another 609 yards on the ground, and 20 total touchdowns.

Just days removed from the first Top247 2021 prospect ranking release for 247Sports.com, Milroe saw his name mentioned with some of the best in the nation, ranked as the No. 75 player in his class and as the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback.

In light of being recognized for his overall talent and upside, Milroe has begun to pick up offers and gain interest from notable programs on the recruiting trail. With seven total offers from Boston College, Florida State, Houston, Nebraska, Texas State, Tulsa, and SFA, the up-and-coming prospect is already building a great relationship with a particular school.

“The recruiting process is going well,” Milroe told BON. “I’m speaking with coaches that are really interested in me. Since I picked up an offer from Florida State, I’ve been building a relationship with Coach Briles since he was at UofH. Once he got to Florida State, he wanted me to be his quarterback, so he offered me.”

Milroe’s offer sheet isn’t a long one just yet, but plenty of Power 5 schools have shown interest in him, including Texas. Spring football is right around the corner for Milroe and he is hoping to see a surge in his recruitment after coaches witness what he’s made of.

“Texas and Texas A&M, those are the school’s that are really hitting me up right now; Nebraska as well,” Milroe expressed. “Virginia reached out to my coaches, saying they are really interested. A lot of schools are coming to our spring practices to evaluate me and watch some film. They’re all looking at what I’m doing in the weight room, off the field, my character; what type of person I am.”

The four-star prospect is feeling the Texas program and what the offensive game plan consists of. Milroe sees himself being an absolute fit as Texas’ future signal caller because of his acquaintance with what Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck expect from their quarterback.

“So with Texas, the offense that they run is similar to the one we run at Tomkins,” Milroe said. “So that would be great if I was in the position to be at Texas because I would already fit that offense after running it for four years at Tomkins.”

Communication between the Texas coaching staff and Milroe has been up and down so far. Milroe, who is teammates and good friends with four-star Texas strong-side defensive end target Tunmise Adeleye, has received visits and talked with Herman and defensive line coach Oscar Giles in the past.

“[Herman] said that I’m on their radar and that they’re looking at me, and they’re hoping to build a great relationship with me,” Milroe said. “He wants me to come up to the school and see the campus.”

Director of recruiting Bryan Carrington has been the main source of contact with Milroe. Carrington’s ability to relate with the rising quarterback is legit.

“I’ve been talking to the Director of Recruiting at Texas,” Milroe said. “Because he went to St. Pius, he’s familiar with the Houston area and he’s just been talking to the coaching staff about me, so I’ve built a relationship with him.”

The last time Milroe visited Texas was when the Horns defeated USC, and he had a great time while on the Forty Acres. Milroe talked with Herman and Beck during his time there.

Milroe knows what he wants to see from programs as his recruitment develops and will look for a family vibe from whatever staff and team he decides to side with.

“I’m hoping to go to a program that’s like family and that has that close like environment,” Milroe said. “That’s what my parents want for me; because they're going to have their son go off to college, so they want a program that’s going to be right for me.”

There’s still a ton of work to do, and Milroe realizes that he’s nowhere near a finished product as a quarterback, but he’s ready willing to take his game to another level with two years of high school football left.

“I’m hoping to get my IQ better than last year and I’m hoping to get my passing percentage up,” Milroe said. “Being able to hit on all the different spots on the field, and getting faster, bigger, and stronger.”

The only quarterback that Texas has offered from the 2021 cycle is Parish Episcopal’s top-ranked dual-threat quarterback Preston Stone, who’s obviously the Longhorns main priority at the position.

At 6-foot-2, 184 pounds, Milroe could emerge as a target for the Horns down the line.