Michigan DC - Alabama QB Jalen Milroe runs ball like Reggie Bush - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — For two seasons in the NFL, Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter had to face Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in practice. As the former defensive backs coach in Baltimore, Minter is familiar with dealing with a dynamic quarterback and, while Michigan prepares to face Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl, Minter knows the Wolverines will have their hands full defending the Tide's own dynamic signal caller in Jalen Milroe.

«It's like Reggie Bush running the ball,» Minter said Thursday of Milroe's and Jackson's ability to make the most of a broken play. «It's not like a quarterback that's scrambling, and he's going to slide and [you] make sure you don't hit him so you don't get a penalty. This dude is going to run like a legit tailback or like a legit slot receiver once he's in space.»

While Minter is wary of comparing Milroe to Jackson, he is aware of the challenge Milroe presents and the way he has improved as the season has progressed. The sophomore quarterback struggled to start the season, losing the starting job for the game against South Florida only to get it back and lead Alabama to an SEC title and a CFP berth while recording 3,186 all-purpose yards and 35 total touchdowns.

«I expect him to make explosive plays like he's done all year,» Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham said. «It's going to be a battle.»

Minter described the Wolverines' defensive approach to stopping Milroe as «11 on one,» noting that his defense will have to play fast to keep up with Milroe and the way he leads the Alabama offense.

«He's capable of every play, not only having to defend the first play, but also what we call the second play,» Minter said. «So his ability when he