Joe Milton

American football player (born 2000)

American football player
Joe Milton
refer to caption
Milton in 2024
New England Patriots
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (2000-03-06) March 6, 2000 (age 24)
Pahokee, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Olympia
(Orlando, Florida)
College:Michigan (2018–2020)
Tennessee (2021–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / Round: 6 / Pick: 193
Career history
  • New England Patriots (2024–present)
Roster status:Unsigned draft pick
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Player stats at NFL.com

Joe Milton III (born March 6, 2000), known as "Bazooka Joe" for his arm strength [1], is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan and the University of Tennessee.

Early years

Milton attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida.[2] He committed to the University of Michigan to play college football.[3][4]

College career

Michigan

Milton spent his first two years at Michigan (2018, 2019) as a backup to starter Shea Patterson.[5] During those two years, he played in eight games, completing 6 of 11 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and also had two rushing touchdowns.[6]

Milton competed with Dylan McCaffrey to be Michigan's starter in 2020.[7][8] Milton was considered the favorite after McCaffrey decided to transfer.[9] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's season was shortened to only six games.[10] Milton started the first three games but steadily lost more playing time to Cade McNamara as the season progressed.[11] Milton passed for 1,077 yards, four passing touchdowns, and four interceptions to go along with 38 carries for 109 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in Michigan's 2–4 season.[12]

Tennessee

Milton transferred to Tennessee, where he was named the team's starter going into the 2021 season.[13] During the Volunteers' second game of the season against Pittsburgh, Milton suffered an injury, and Hendon Hooker, a fellow transfer quarterback from Virginia Tech, replaced him in the lineup.[14] He recorded a passing touchdown against #1 Georgia in relief in the 41–17 loss on November 13.[15] Milton played in a relief role in six games the rest of the 2021 season.[16]

In the 2022 season, Hooker was the primary starter for the 11–2 Volunteers.[17] Milton played the backup role for most the season. He had productive outings in relief of Hooker with multiple games going over 100 yards passing and scoring at least one passing touchdown.[18] On November 19, against South Carolina, Hooker sustained a season-ending ACL injury, making Milton the starter for the rest of the season.[19][20] Milton made his first start of the season against Vanderbilt. He passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 56–0 victory.[21] Tennessee qualified for the Orange Bowl against #7 Clemson.[22] In the game, Milton passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the 31–14 victory to earn MVP honors.[23]

Milton began the 2023 season as the Volunteers' starting quarterback. He threw for two passing touchdowns and ran for two rushing touchdowns in a 49–13 victory over Virginia.[24] Following three total touchdowns in a 30–13 win over Austin Peay, Milton and the Vols had their first setback against Florida on September 16.[25][26] To start Tennessee's 45–14 victory over UTSA in the following game, Milton had an 81-yard rushing touchdown on the Vols' first offensive drive. The play marked the longest rushing play by a quarterback in program history.[27] Following conference victories over South Carolina and Texas A&M, Milton had 271 yards and two passing touchdowns in a loss to Alabama.[28][29][30] After a 2–2 stretch, Milton passed for 383 yards and four touchdowns to go along with two rushing touchdowns in a 48–24 victory over Vanderbilt to end the regular season. The performance marked the most touchdowns accounted for by a Volunteer in a single game since 2009.[31] Milton finished his final season with the Volunteers with a 8–4 record.[32]

College statistics

Season Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
Michigan Wolverines
2018 4 0 0−0 3 4 75.0 58 14.5 0 1 146.8 7 31 4.4 1
2019 4 0 0−0 3 7 42.9 59 8.4 1 1 132.2 5 16 3.2 1
2020 6 5 2−3 80 141 56.7 1,077 7.6 4 4 124.6 38 109 2.9 1
Tennessee Volunteers
2021 8 2 1−1 27 55 49.1 375 6.0 2 0 113.5 28 129 4.6 2
2022 9 2 2−0 53 82 64.6 971 11.8 10 0 204.3 18 77 4.3 0
2023 12 12 8–4 226 348 64.5 2,769 7.2 20 5 141.4 75 292 3.9 6
Career 39 17 12−6 329 540 60.9 4,303 8.0 30 10 142.5 153 620 4.1 9

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 5+1⁄8 in
(1.96 m) 		235 lb
(107 kg) 		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m) 		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		 4.56 s 35.0 in
(0.89 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
All values from NFL Combine[33][34][35]

Milton was selected with the 193rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. The Patriots previously traded quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars to obtain the 193rd pick, which they would use to draft Milton.

References

  1. ^ Lane, Pat (April 28, 2024). "NFL Draft grades 2024: Patriots are heading in the right directions". patspulpit. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  2. ^ Hays, Chris (October 26, 2020). "Michigan starting QB Joe Milton quietly worked his way from Olympia High to leading Wolverines". HSSports. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Wenzel, Matt (May 8, 2017). "4-star QB Joe Milton commits to Michigan". mlive. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  4. ^ Snyder, Mark (May 9, 2017). "Michigan QB commit Joe Milton has a big arm, is ready to travel". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (December 30, 2019). "QB Joe Milton committed to Michigan despite 'very difficult challenge' of waiting". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  6. ^ McMann, Aaron (September 1, 2020). "Michigan QB Joe Milton's busy offseason learning 'multiple pitches'". mlive. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  7. ^ Brown, Brandon (April 6, 2020). "Make A Choice: Dylan McCaffrey Or Joe Milton". SI.com. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  8. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (March 5, 2020). "Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton to make Michigan quarterback battle 'interesting'". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  9. ^ Sang, Orion (September 16, 2020). "Michigan football quarterback Dylan McCaffrey reportedly opts out, will transfer". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "2020 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  11. ^ Sang, Orion (November 19, 2020). "Michigan football QB job up for grabs: Joe Milton, Cade McNamara to battle this week". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  12. ^ "Joe Milton 2020 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  13. ^ Scarborough, Alex (August 30, 2021). "Vols to start Michigan transfer Milton at QB". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Wilson, Mike (September 11, 2021). "After Joe Milton injury, Tennessee football turns to Hendon Hooker at QB". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Georgia at Tennessee Box Score, November 13, 2021". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "Joe Milton 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "2022 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  18. ^ "Joe Milton 2022 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  19. ^ Low, Chris (November 20, 2022). "Vols QB Hooker done for season with torn ACL". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "Joe Milton's journey back to starting quarterback at Tennessee". WBIR. November 22, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  21. ^ "No. 9 Tennessee routs Vanderbilt 56-0 in rain for 10th win". USA TODAY. Associated Press. November 26, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  22. ^ "Clemson, Tennessee Selected to Play in Capital One Orange Bowl". NBC 6 South Florida. December 4, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  23. ^ Reynolds, Tim (December 31, 2022). "Vols romp behind MVP Milton". Arkansas Online. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  24. ^ "Virginia vs Tennessee Box Score, September 2, 2023". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  25. ^ "Austin Peay at Tennessee Box Score, September 9, 2023". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  26. ^ Hays, Chris (September 20, 2023). "Tennessee QB Joe Milton shakes off UF loss, looks ahead". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  27. ^ Harralson, Dan (September 24, 2023). "Joe Milton's 81-yard run is Vols' longest by a quarterback in program history". Vols Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  28. ^ Harralson, Dan (October 1, 2023). "Tennessee defeats South Carolina in dark mode uniforms". Vols Wire. USA Today. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  29. ^ Lesar, Al (October 14, 2023). "Willliams returns punt for go-ahead TD, Tennessee beats Texas A&M". Chron.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  30. ^ Sparks, Adam (October 21, 2023). "Tennessee football can't turn Tide at Alabama after leading at halftime, outscored 27-0 in second half". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  31. ^ Sparks, Adam (November 25, 2023). "Joe Milton helps Tennessee football crush Vanderbilt on senior day with 6 TDs". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  32. ^ "Joe Milton 2023 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "Joe Milton III Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  34. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Joe Milton III College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  35. ^ "Results from Tennessee football's 2024 Pro Day". ThePlayersLounge.io. Retrieved April 27, 2024.

External links

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  • Michigan Wolverines bio
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