"The things that's being done in the dark will always come to shine. If you're pouring nothing but good things into yourself, you reap what you sow." Jalen Milroe Alabama Quarterback Last year, Jalen Milroe walked into what he thought was just another post-game meeting after a tough overtime loss to Michigan. But things took a surprising turn when legendary head coach, Nick Saban, dropped the news he was retiring. Shaking up the college football world, the young quarterback was forced to Pivot, as he took the reins of the Crimson Tide football's immediate future. In this episode of The Pivot, in partnership with Fanatics, Ryan, Fred, and Channing sit down with Alabama's leader to talk about his journey from a young man who only started playing football to bond with his father to being named quarterback to one of the most storied programs and a Heisman favorite this 2024 season. Standing in the shadows of Bama stars like Bryce Young, Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Milroe is next in line of an impressive lineage and continues to forge his own path forward, trailblazing the play-calling position into his own style and standard of excellence. Ryan calls Jalen out mid conversation and reminds him it's ok to be him and talk as one of the guys and doesn't have to be buttoned up in all his responses. Loosening up, the guys ask him about his infamous "LANK" mantra and the mentality of coining that phrase, "Let All Naysayers Know" as his way of quieting the critics and answering the doubt that surrounded him and his Crimson Tide teammates. The guys laugh and reflect back at that viral moment and how the phrase has taken on a life of its own, being the core of how athletes from the youth to the pros and even people in everyday life, who are tired of being questioned and doubted... Coming from a military family, Jalen shares how growing up with "helicopter parents" taught him the discipline and work ethic that has fueled his rise and understands there's no such thing as self-made but only self driven humans who experience true success. Recognizing the village of people through family, coaches, teammates and friends who keep him going each day, and help navigate the waters mentally and physically of being the starting quarterback for one of the winningest college football franchises. Jalen opens up on how he’s handled the pressures, the transition to a new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, what it’s like to balance the outside noise with his own high standards and why a Texas native chose to play for Alabama, simply stating it is a business decision for four years to set him up for the next 40 as he and Jalen keeps it real with the guys about everything: From what went through his mind after that Michigan loss last season to 2024 college football playoff hopes to NIL era of money making to his NFL Draft dreams to sharing who he is away from the field as someone who is known for avoiding "fun" but clarifies he doesn't put himself in uncertain situations because it's easy to get into trouble but hard to get out of. Jalen shares his thoughts on Alabama's newest offensive phenom, 17 year old wide-receiver Ryan Williams and what key thing he shared with Jalen that was a telling-tale of the type of player Williams wants to be and strives to be. Jalen also pays homage and respect to the rise of black quarterbacks in the NFL for paving the way for men like himself to continue to break barriers and have the opportunities they do. Tap in and Subscribe to The Pivot Podcast for more stories like this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices