Orlando QB Milton to transfer from Michigan

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton, a product of Orlando’s Olympia High, has entered the NCAA transfer portal and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Milton began this past season as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback but eventually lost the job as Michigan struggled. Those struggles were not entirely his doing, although Michigan fans quickly called for a QB change.

After the team limped to a 1-3 start, coach Jim Harbaugh made a change, replacing Milton with Cade McNamara when Michigan fell behind against Rutgers. McNamara led the Wolverines to a comeback victory in three overtimes. Michigan played only one more game, finishing 2-4, after its final three games of the season were canceled due to COVID-19.

Milton did have issues, and Michigan had no running game to support the redshirt freshman. He had problems with accuracy at times. In six games, Milton was 80-of-141 passing, with four touchdowns and 1,077 yards. He also had four interceptions.

Michigan ranked 11th in rushing in the 14-team Big Ten with 130 yards per game, and ranked sixth in passing with 250 yards per game.

Milton announced the decision via Twitter, posting Thursday morning:

“I want to thank Coach Harbaugh for giving me that opportunity to come play for a program with lots of tradition. I have bonds with my brothers that will last forever, I have decided to enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer with three years of eligibility.”