Joe Milton
{{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Joe Milton
| image = Joe Milton Senior Bowl.png
| alt =
| caption = Milton in 2024
| current_team = Dallas Cowboys
| position = Quarterback
| number = 10
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|3|6}}
| birth_place = Pahokee, Florida, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 246
| high_school = Olympia (Orlando, Florida)
| college = Michigan (2018–2020)
Tennessee (2021–2023)
| draftyear = 2024
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 193
| pastteams =
- New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2024}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statseason = 2024
| statweek = 18
| statlabel1 = Passing attempts
| statvalue1 = 29
| statlabel2 = Passing completions
| statvalue2 = 22
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 75.9%
| statvalue4 = 1–0
| statlabel5 = Passing yards
| statvalue5 = 241
| statlabel6 = Passer rating
| statvalue6 = 111.4
| statlabel7 = Rushing yards
| statvalue7 = 16
| statlabel8 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue8 = 1
}}
Joseph Jay Milton{{cite web | title=Joe Milton III | website=University of Tennessee Athletics | date=2022-08-03 | url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/joe-milton-iii/19026 | access-date=2024-10-11}} (born March 6, 2000) is an American professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and Tennessee Volunteers before being selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early life
Milton attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida.{{Cite web |last=Hays |first=Chris |date=October 26, 2020 |title=Michigan starting QB Joe Milton quietly worked his way from Olympia High to leading Wolverines |url=https://hssports.com/headlines?id=michigan-starting-qb-joe-milton-quietly-worked-his-way-from-olympia-high-to-leading-wolverines |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=HSSports |language=en-US}} He committed to the University of Michigan to play college football.{{Cite web |last=Wenzel |first=Matt |date=May 8, 2017 |title=4-star QB Joe Milton commits to Michigan |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/2017/05/4-star_qb_joe_milton_commits_t.html |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=mlive}}{{Cite web |last=Snyder |first=Mark |date=May 9, 2017 |title=Michigan QB commit Joe Milton has a big arm, is ready to travel |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2017/05/09/michigan-football-joe-milton/101461138/ |access-date=September 8, 2021 |website=Detroit Free Press}}
College career
=Michigan=
Milton spent his first two years at Michigan (2018, 2019) as a backup to starter Shea Patterson.{{Cite web |last=Chengelis |first=Angelique S. |date=December 30, 2019 |title=QB Joe Milton committed to Michigan despite 'very difficult challenge' of waiting |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2019/12/30/qb-joe-milton-committed-michigan-despite-very-difficult-challenge-waiting/2775288001/ |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=The Detroit News}} 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.{{Cite web |last=McMann |first=Aaron |date=September 1, 2020 |title=Michigan QB Joe Milton's busy offseason learning 'multiple pitches' |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2020/09/michigan-qb-joe-miltons-busy-offseason-learning-multiple-pitches.html |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=mlive}}
Milton competed with Dylan McCaffrey to be Michigan's starter in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Brandon |date=April 6, 2020 |title=Make A Choice: Dylan McCaffrey Or Joe Milton |url=https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/make-a-choice-dylan-mccaffrey-or-joe-milton-michigan-wolverines-football-jim-harbaugh-josh-gattis |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=SI.com}}{{Cite web |last=Chengelis |first=Angelique S. |date=March 5, 2020 |title=Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton to make Michigan quarterback battle 'interesting' |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2020/03/05/dylan-mccaffrey-joe-milton-make-michigan-quarterback-battle-interesting/4966470002/ |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=The Detroit News}} Milton was considered the favorite after McCaffrey decided to transfer.{{Cite web |last=Sang |first=Orion |date=September 16, 2020 |title=Michigan football quarterback Dylan McCaffrey reportedly opts out, will transfer |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/09/16/michigan-football-quarterback-dylan-mccaffrey-transfer-joe-milton/5823294002/ |access-date=October 2, 2022 |website=Detroit Free Press}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan's season was shortened to only six games.{{Cite web |title=2020 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan/2020-schedule.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Milton started the first three games but steadily lost more playing time to Cade McNamara as the season progressed.{{Cite web |last=Sang |first=Orion |date=November 19, 2020 |title=Michigan football QB job up for grabs: Joe Milton, Cade McNamara to battle this week |url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2020/11/16/michigan-football-quarterbacks-joe-milton-cade-mcnamara-jim-harbaugh/6310072002/ |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Joe Milton 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joe-milton-2/gamelog/2020 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
=Tennessee=
Milton transferred to Tennessee, where he was named the team's starter going into the 2021 season.{{Cite web |last=Scarborough |first=Alex |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Vols to start Michigan transfer Milton at QB |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32114242/tennessee-volunteers-start-michigan-wolverines-transfer-joe-milton-iii-qb |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=September 11, 2021 |title=After Joe Milton injury, Tennessee football turns to Hendon Hooker at QB |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/09/11/hendon-hooker-tennessee-football-vs-pitt-joe-milton-exits/8296856002/ |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} He recorded a passing touchdown against #1 Georgia in relief in the 41–17 loss on November 13.{{Cite web |title=Georgia at Tennessee Box Score, November 13, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-11-13-tennessee.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Milton played in a relief role in six games for the rest of the 2021 season.{{Cite web |title=Joe Milton 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joe-milton-2/gamelog/2021 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
In the 2022 season, Hooker was the primary starter for the 11–2 Volunteers.{{Cite web |title=2022 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/2022-schedule.html |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Milton played the backup role for most of 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.{{Cite web |title=Joe Milton 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joe-milton-2/gamelog/2022 |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On November 19, against South Carolina, Hooker sustained a season-ending ACL injury, making Milton the starter for the rest of the season.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Chris |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Vols QB Hooker done for season with torn ACL |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35069601/tennessee-loses-quarterback-hendon-hooker-torn-acl |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2022 |title=Joe Milton's journey back to starting quarterback at Tennessee |url=https://www.wbir.com/article/sports/joe-miltons-could-be-starting-quarterback-for-vols-for-rest-of-season/51-0b906c0b-153b-4717-9897-35c4391dbf1a |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=WBIR |language=en-US}} Milton made his first start of the season against Vanderbilt. He passed for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 56–0 victory.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2022 |title=No. 9 Tennessee routs Vanderbilt 56-0 in rain for 10th win |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2022/11/27/no-9-tennessee-routs-vanderbilt-56-0-in-rain-for-10th-win/50978855/ |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}} Tennessee qualified for the Orange Bowl against #7 Clemson.{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2022 |title=Clemson, Tennessee Selected to Play in Capital One Orange Bowl |url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/clemson-tennessee-selected-to-play-in-capital-one-orange-bowl/2922604/ |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=NBC 6 South Florida |language=en-US}} In the game, Milton passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the 31–14 victory to earn MVP honors.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Tim |date=December 31, 2022 |title=Vols romp behind MVP Milton |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/dec/31/vols-romp-behind-mvp-milton/ |access-date=January 2, 2023 |website=Arkansas Online |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Virginia vs Tennessee Box Score, September 2, 2023 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2023-09-02-tennessee.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} 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, when they lost 29-16.{{Cite web |title=Austin Peay at Tennessee Box Score, September 9, 2023 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2023-09-09-tennessee.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hays |first=Chris |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Tennessee QB Joe Milton shakes off UF loss, looks ahead |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/09/20/tennessee-lost-but-qb-joe-milton-was-happy-to-be-back-in-florida/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Harralson |first=Dan |date=September 24, 2023 |title=Joe Milton's 81-yard run is Vols' longest by a quarterback in program history |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/2023/09/24/joe-miltons-81-yard-run-is-tennessee-vols-football-longest-by-a-quarterback-in-program-history/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Vols Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}} Following conference victories over South Carolina and Texas A&M, Milton had 271 yards and two passing touchdowns in a loss to Alabama.{{Cite web |last=Harralson |first=Dan |date=October 1, 2023 |title=Tennessee defeats South Carolina in dark mode uniforms |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-tennessee-vols-football-defeats-south-carolina-gamecocks-in-dark-mode-uniforms/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Vols Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lesar |first=Al |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Willliams returns punt for go-ahead TD, Tennessee beats Texas A&M |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/dee-willliams-returns-punt-for-go-ahead-td-no-18426413.php |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Chron.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=October 21, 2023 |title=Tennessee football can't turn Tide at Alabama after leading at halftime, outscored 27-0 in second half |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/10/21/tennessee-football-alabama-score-tuscaloosa-20-years/71142688007/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} In a critical Nov. 11 game in Columbia, Mo., between No. 13 Tennessee and No. 14 Missouri, Milton and the Tennessee offense were only able to score one second-quarter touchdown as they lost 36-7. [https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-volunteers-vols-missouri-tigers-mizzou-d61490742aae42b89f8c55cfa5c654de 31]
A week later, against No. 1 Georgia, Milton and Tennessee were again defeated handily, 38-10. Joe Milton did not throw a touchdown. [https://apnews.com/article/georgia-tennessee-sec-c63a28f758fc5bb2629648fee898f9d0 32]
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.{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Joe Milton helps Tennessee football crush Vanderbilt on senior day with 6 TDs |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/11/25/joe-milton-stats-tennessee-vanderbilt-score-college-football-week-13/71599277007/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} Milton finished his final season with the Volunteers with an 8–4 record after deciding to opt out of the Volunteers' bowl game.{{Cite web |title=Joe Milton 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joe-milton-2/gamelog/2023 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=Tennessee QB Joe Milton opts out of Citrus Bowl for NFL draft, leaving Nico Iamaleava to start |url=https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-joe-milton-nico-iamaleava-citrus-bowl-00ac3878b335707929b7f21ecfd9e93c |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=AP News |language=en}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="3" | Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2018
| 4 || 0 || — || 3 || 4 || 75.0 || 58 || 14.5 || 0 || 1 || 146.8 || 7 || 31 || 4.4 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019
| 4 || 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 | |||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/joe-milton-2.html Career] | 43 | 21 | 13−8 | 329 | 540 | 60.9 | 4,303 | 8.0 | 37 | 11 | 142.5 | 153 | 620 | 4.1 | 11 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 5 1/8
| weight = 235
| dash = 4.62
| vertical = 35.0
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 1
| arm span = 33 3/8
| hand span = 10 1/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/joe-milton-iii/32004d49-4c81-8788-f5e1-fe90adee6d31 |title=Joe Milton III Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=March 9, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/videos/patriots-select-joe-milton-iii-with-no-193-pick-in-2024-draft |title=Patriots select Joe Milton III with No. 193 pick in 2024 draft |website=NFL.com |access-date=May 7, 2024}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1022821&DraftYear=2024 |title=2024 NFL Draft Scout Joe Milton III College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=March 9, 2024}}
}}
=New England Patriots=
Milton was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Buchmasser |first=Bernd |last2=Hines |first2=Brian |date=2024-04-27 |title=Instant grade for the Patriots drafting QB Joe Milton in Round 6 |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2024/4/27/24143034/patriots-joe-milton-quarterback-instant-grade-nfl-draft-2024 |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=Pats Pulpit |language=en}} The Patriots obtained the pick by trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Milton signed his rookie contract with the Patriots on May 10, 2024.{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Patriots Sign Three of Their Eight 2024 Draft Picks and Sign Nine Rookie Free Agents |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-three-of-their-eight-2024-draft-picks-and-sign-nine-rookie-free-agents |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Patriots.com |language=en-US}} Milton was named the third-string quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and fellow rookie Drake Maye to start the 2024 season.
On January 5, 2025, Milton made his professional debut in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills after relieving Maye, who departed after the opening drive. Milton finished 22-of-29 for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as the Patriots won 23–16, knocking them out of contention for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.{{Cite news |date=January 5, 2025 |title=Patriots beat Bills 23-16 to cost themselves top draft pick. Coach Jerod Mayo fired after game |url=https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/patriots-beat-bills-2316-to-cost-themselves-top-draft-pick-coach-jerod-mayo-fired-after-game |access-date=January 5, 2025 |work=Fox Sports|agency=Associated Press}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On April 3, 2025, the Patriots traded Milton to the Dallas Cowboys along with a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.{{cite web |last1=Yarrish |first1=Tommy |title=Cowboys complete trade for Patriots QB Joe Milton III |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-finalizing-trade-to-acquire-patriots-qb-joe-milton-iii |website=dallascowboys.com |access-date=3 April 2025}}
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="9"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Sacks ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Record|Record as a starter}} | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest pass completion}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Sck|Sacks taken}} | {{abbr|SckY|Yards lost due to sacks}} | {{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} | {{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}} |
| 2024 | NE
| 1 || 0 || — || 22 || 29 || 75.9 || 241 || 8.3 || 48 || 1 || 0 || 111.4 || 10 || 16 || 1.6 || 9 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MiltJo00.htm Career]|| 1 || 0 || — || 22 || 29 || 75.9 || 241 || 8.3 || 48 || 1 || 0 || 111.4 || 10 || 16 || 1.6 || 9 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1 |
Personal life
Milton's cousin, Anquan Boldin, played in the NFL from 2003 to 2016, and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens.{{cite web | last=Trieu | first=Allen | title=Trieu: Florida QB Joe Milton has unique connection to Harbaugh | website=detroitnews.com | date=2017-03-02 | url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2017/03/02/trieu-florida-qb-joe-milton-has-unique-connection-harbaugh/98640318/ | access-date=2025-02-27}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://dallascowboys.com/team/players-roster/joe-milton-iii/ Dallas Cowboys bio]
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/joe-milton-iii/13612 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
- [https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/joe-milton/21355 Michigan Wolverines bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Milton, Joe}}
Category:Players of American football from Pahokee, Florida
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Michigan Wolverines football players
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen