Talking with people around the UCF program, it's clear that McKenzie Milton had a greater impact on that school than simply throwing passes and making big runs. Here's a different look at the Seminoles' new transfer quarterback.
McKenzie Milton's impact on UCF extended beyond football field
Also: Michael interviewed UCFSports.com publisher Brandon Helwig to get more insight into Milton as a player. Here are some of his thoughts:
On what FSU is getting in Milton:
"If he's healthy or 75 percent to what he was, in my opinion he's much better than most quarterbacks playing football today. I think the big question is how is that knee. He's been running the scout team in practice, and from the limited videos we have seen, it looks good. Ultimately, we will just have to see what he does next season. If he's anything like he was at UCF, FSU just got the best QB on the transfer market. ... As long as there are pieces in place (at the skill positions), he's going to help tremendously if he comes back close to healthy. I think with the plays he makes with his feet and arm, he makes any offensive line look better than they really are."
On Milton's running ability:
"He's quick. I don't know if I can say how fast he was. But it was about knowing when it was the right time to run and seeing the holes to run. Knowing the read-pass options and seeing everything developing. He had this uncanny ability to sniff out when the defender was close and had a knack for avoiding hits and keeping plays alive with exciting and amazing plays. I don't think there is going to be an argument that he's going to go down as the greatest football player in UCF history. That is strange because he's finishing with another program. But he will be the greatest Knight that has played here so far."
On his passing ability:
"Some of the passes he can make [are amazing]. And one of them that comes to mind is the Auburn game in the Peach Bowl, where he found Dredrick Snelson as he threaded the needle for an incredible pass. So not sure there is a weakness with that part of his game. He was incredibly efficient. He can make every single throw. He has a strong arm. I don't think there was a weakness in his game as a passer back to 2017, 2018."
On his leadership:
"That's something we saw really develop. He was kind of thrown into the fire in 2016. First year with Scott Frost. He was also homesick after that first year and was convinced to stay for his sophomore year. So that perfect season almost didn't happen. He wasn't the most vocal guy early on, but he leads by example with how he plays, and that grabs the attention of his teammates. So you see that a lot with his play more than talking all the time. So he evolved into that role."
If Milton is healthy, what impact could he have on FSU?
"If he's healthy or close to 2017, 2018, I think he is the best quarterback in college football. Maybe a little biased in watching him. But at the very least, one of the top two or three. He's a tremendous quarterback. He's very mature, won at a high level and has gone through the devastation of an injury and obstacles. If I'm a Florida State fan that has had to endure the losses [in recent years] and I'm in Orlando, Tampa, I'm buying season tickets and my tune is changing. To me, this is a great day if you are a Florida State fan. Because if you don't have a solid quarterback, it's hard to win at a high level, and Milton is that if he's healthy. And I know a lot of UCF fans are going to tune in to to watch how it goes."
McKenzie Milton's impact on UCF extended beyond football field
Also: Michael interviewed UCFSports.com publisher Brandon Helwig to get more insight into Milton as a player. Here are some of his thoughts:
On what FSU is getting in Milton:
"If he's healthy or 75 percent to what he was, in my opinion he's much better than most quarterbacks playing football today. I think the big question is how is that knee. He's been running the scout team in practice, and from the limited videos we have seen, it looks good. Ultimately, we will just have to see what he does next season. If he's anything like he was at UCF, FSU just got the best QB on the transfer market. ... As long as there are pieces in place (at the skill positions), he's going to help tremendously if he comes back close to healthy. I think with the plays he makes with his feet and arm, he makes any offensive line look better than they really are."
On Milton's running ability:
"He's quick. I don't know if I can say how fast he was. But it was about knowing when it was the right time to run and seeing the holes to run. Knowing the read-pass options and seeing everything developing. He had this uncanny ability to sniff out when the defender was close and had a knack for avoiding hits and keeping plays alive with exciting and amazing plays. I don't think there is going to be an argument that he's going to go down as the greatest football player in UCF history. That is strange because he's finishing with another program. But he will be the greatest Knight that has played here so far."
On his passing ability:
"Some of the passes he can make [are amazing]. And one of them that comes to mind is the Auburn game in the Peach Bowl, where he found Dredrick Snelson as he threaded the needle for an incredible pass. So not sure there is a weakness with that part of his game. He was incredibly efficient. He can make every single throw. He has a strong arm. I don't think there was a weakness in his game as a passer back to 2017, 2018."
On his leadership:
"That's something we saw really develop. He was kind of thrown into the fire in 2016. First year with Scott Frost. He was also homesick after that first year and was convinced to stay for his sophomore year. So that perfect season almost didn't happen. He wasn't the most vocal guy early on, but he leads by example with how he plays, and that grabs the attention of his teammates. So you see that a lot with his play more than talking all the time. So he evolved into that role."
If Milton is healthy, what impact could he have on FSU?
"If he's healthy or close to 2017, 2018, I think he is the best quarterback in college football. Maybe a little biased in watching him. But at the very least, one of the top two or three. He's a tremendous quarterback. He's very mature, won at a high level and has gone through the devastation of an injury and obstacles. If I'm a Florida State fan that has had to endure the losses [in recent years] and I'm in Orlando, Tampa, I'm buying season tickets and my tune is changing. To me, this is a great day if you are a Florida State fan. Because if you don't have a solid quarterback, it's hard to win at a high level, and Milton is that if he's healthy. And I know a lot of UCF fans are going to tune in to to watch how it goes."
