One really refreshing thing about quarterback McKenzie Milton is that he is the farthest thing from a publicity hound.
As a matter of fact, he is so low-key and easy-going and blends in so well with all of his Trojans teammates that he is sometimes hard to find after games. Well, part of that has to do with Mililani’s white numerals on a yellow jersey. Still, Milton wearing his No. 13, is usually standing with about four or five other teammates of similar stature.
And he has done really well flying under the radar of the national recruiters. Yes, he is committed to Hawaii. According to 247sports.com, he is a “solid” commit to Hawaii.
Not that we’ve heard anything different. That’s what we’ve always heard since he committed last year.
But Hawaii Prep World has learned that things may have changed slightly since June.
That’s when he attended an Oregon camp.
Rod York, the Mililani head coach, opened up about some excellent tidbits pertaining to Oregon and Milton.
“There were 62 quarterbacks at that camp and he was the MVP,” York said on the phone Sunday night.
There was noise in the background and somehow “MVP” sounded something like “every piece.”
What was that Rod?
“MVP (again, sounded like every piece). He was the MVP. That included the Bishop Gorman quarterback (Tate Martell) and the quarterback from Texas that Oregon (Seth Green) has already offered. He killed that competition.
“(Oregon recruiters) told him to hang on and be patient and go out and have a good year.”
Well, that means a real lot or nothing at all. The Ducks sound interested, but not interested enough yet, apparently.
Milton, who is 6 feet and 180 pounds, also has offers from Army, Navy and Air Force. He threw for a school-record 515 yards and six touchdowns and he rushed for 60 yards in a 67-21 win over Kapolei on Saturday.
Next up for No. 1 Mililani: a trip to play Liberty of Henderson, Nev., on Friday. The Patriots returned to the mainland after falling to No. 2 Saint Louis 43-16 at Aloha Stadium last Saturday.
“I spoke with some coaches at BYU, including (former Kahuku star running back) Mark Atuaia, and they told me they’ve offered the Liberty quarterback (Kenyon Oblad),” York said.
“We’re going up there to take care of business,” he added. “That’s the facts.”
So far in three games, Milton is 58-for-78 for 880 yards passing and 12 touchdowns with one interception. And he has rushed for 187 yards and a TD on 14 carries.
As a junior in 2014, he went 237-for-343 for 3,339 yards with 35 TDs and eight interceptions to go along with 802 yards and 12 TDs rushing.
During his sophomore season in 2013, Milton completed 136 of 228 passes for 1,620 yards and 16 TDs, and he rushed for 583 yards and four TDs.
His height is going to be a big factor when it comes to him playing QB at the next level. The kid is amazing on the field but its the eye test that has coaches thinking twice. How do you go to a camp, beat out all the QBs there, be named the MVP of the camp and than told to waite and be patient while the other kids you beat out receive offers. Wish this kid the best.
It seems somewhat unfair if he beat out everyone else at the camp, was named MVP, and then was told by Oregon to just wait. However, from what I’ve read, I don’t think you’d ever hear this come from Milton’s mouth. He exudes leadership on and off the field (I witnessed his passion on the sidelines this past Sat night). He does so many things right, and he will end up where he needs to be! If some of these bigger schools pass on him, I think they’ll regret it!
VERY SMUG AND ARROGANT OF OREGON TO GIVE MACMILT ADVICE ON HOW TO PLAY FOOTBALL…THEY MUST THINK THEY HAVE THE INSIDE TRACK FOR HIS SERVICES, AND COME IN HERE AND SCOOP HIM AWAY FROM HAWAII ANY TIME THEY WANT TO.
College coaches dont have an eye test. That’s in the Pros! The offers will come. Even if Hawaii offered him already if he does well in Las Vegas, which he will, they will come. But knowing the character of this young man, don’t be suprised if he stands by his commitment to play for Hawaii.
Think he might be a better fit with Navy/Niumatalolo. I suspect maybe his family is military. In any case best of luck to him.
If there is no eye ball test then where are the offer’s? The St. Louis QB was getting offers his 10th grade year and yet you have a kid like Milton who is a STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPION and MVP of a QB camp that had many top QB’s and yet he is being told to be patient. Its his height and size. Even the writer of this article knows this because all of a sudden this kid is now listed as 6’1.
Good point on the height … honest mistake. I will definitely correct that. And, in the meantime, I may get the tape measure out next time I see him just to be sure. Kidding, kind of, but you never know. He could be 5’11 for all we know. Thanks for your readership. Aloha, Nick Abramo.
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I hope he dont Oregon….. like foreal, take away Maariota….. can anyone name 5 Oregon alums starting in the nfl, and are they a big part of that team or are they just expandable. And since when did Oregon become qb U? Milton dont need Oregon, they dont produce nfl players like USC nd Stanford does….. just saying….
I have not seen Tua yet this year, but judging by last year I’d say he is 100 percent legit. and, obviously, college coaches feel the same. i would say he might havr two things over Milton. one, he’s built rock solid, with an unmovable type of body. Milton has a slighter build. two, his deep ball might be stronger and slightly more accurate. will find out more when I see him. this year. Tua is a tough runner, not as fast or as elusive as Milton. … i think scouts might be missing out if they continue to ignore Milton. … someone mentioned he may go to Hawaii no matter what. That would not surprise me. he is really low-key and not power hungry. seems to me he just wants to be the best QB he can be and play football and not getting bogged down too much about where.
He is listed as an athlete for UH…..Bad mechanics. He has been working with Joel Lane last year. This past summer he was with Coach Vinny Passas. ????why???? To fix his mechanics. Navy would be perfect fit for him.
All this might be for naught, if York keeps him in during blowout games( Kapolei) deep into the fourth quarter, and leading the block for Malepeai! What was that? Really?
Just this week a second QB just committed to Oregon. Both have height and multiple D1 offers. He should stay home and play in front of family and friends.