Graduate transfer Milton signs with Seminoles
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FSU athletics
Florida State officially announced the addition of quarterback McKenzie Milton, a graduate transfer from UCF last Monday. Milton will join the Seminoles in January and be immediately eligible to play next season.
“We are fired up to have McKenzie joining our program,” said head coach Mike Norvell. “He is a proven leader who will help us continue to establish a culture of excellence in everything we do here at Florida State. I have seen first-hand McKenzie’s talent, competitive drive and leadership skills which will be incredibly valuable to our team on and off the field. His return from injury has been an inspiration to so many people, and we are looking forward to his next chapter here in Tallahassee.”
Milton led the Knights to wins in the last 23 games that he started, including an undefeated 2017 season and two American Athletic Conference championships, and finished his UCF career with a 27-6 record as a starter. He is the only two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year and in 2018 was a finalist for the Sullivan Award given to the nation’s top amateur athlete. Milton finished sixth in the 2018 Heisman Trophy voting and eighth in 2017.
“Florida State speaks for itself,” Milton said. “When you hear FSU and see the Garnet and Gold, that’s something that is rich in history and great players, both past and present. It’s a school you dream about going to as a kid. Getting that opportunity as a 23-year-old man is a perfect way to end my college career. I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Norvell from competing against him and then getting to know him better throughout this process, and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to play for him and coach Dillingham. This is a great opportunity to play at the highest level and be around some great teammates and great players at the same time.
“The process of competing for championships starts now, and I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited for this next chapter. I’m looking forward to being part of the quarterback room and supporting Jordan, Chubba and Tate. They’re going to push me to get better and I’m going to push them to get better. We’re going to hold each other accountable to do the work it takes. Just like at UCF, FSU is going to get my best effort in and out of the locker room. I couldn’t think of a better place to be than FSU.”
For his UCF career, Milton was 630-of-1,020 passing for 8,683 yards and 72 touchdowns with only 22 interceptions and added 1,078 yards and 20 touchdowns on 285 rushes for 9,761 yards of total offense. His streak of 24 straight games with at least one passing touchdown ranks second in program history, while his pass efficiency rating of 152.3, 13.8 average yards per completion, interception percentage of 2.2, total offense and completions all rank third on UCF’s all-time list. His pass attempts, passing touchdowns and touchdown responsibility totals are fourth in program history.
In 2017, Milton led the Knights to a perfect 13-0 campaign that culminated with a No. 6 ranking in the final AP poll after a victory over No. 7 Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
