UCF quarterback becoming more vocal leader

Last year, UCF players remembered seeing a new, more determined McKenzie Milton at one point during spring practice.

The quarterback was tired of his offense getting kicked around by the defense in first-team clashes and wanted to see some change from his fellow offensive personnel. They bought in, and so, too, did the defense. Everyone loved the new Milton. He finally showed he was a leader and was willing to do what it took to lead his team in 2017.

That role will be even more important this offseason with a new coaching staff. Players have seen Milton’s growth during spring practice, which concludes with Saturday’s spring game at Spectrum Stadium at 6 p.m.

“He’s been more vocal. When I first got here, he wasn’t that vocal, but now he’s stepping up, telling us to bring it every day,” sophomore receiver Marlon Williams said.

New coach Josh Heupel had his own expectations of the quarterback, who was No. 2 in the country in passing efficiency last year among Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks, just behind Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield at 179.3. Milton threw for 4,037 yards and 37 touchdowns last season and had only nine of his 395 attempts intercepted.

Heupel knew what he’d like to see out of Milton, but seeing it first-hand has given him a new appreciation for his junior quarterback.

“He’s competitive. … He’s extremely smart. He understands spacing out on the field, understands defensive body positioning, recognizes coverages in a pretty good way, as well,” Heupel said. “[He’s] continuing to get better fundamentally and that’s putting his eyes in the right spot. It’s also him getting his body in the right spot so he can continue to be more consistent and more accurate from within the pocket.”

What may have impressed Heupel most has been Milton’s ability to scramble and use his legs to make positive things happen out of negative situations. Milton was UCF’s second-leading rusher behind Adrian Killins last year with 613 yards and eight touchdowns, with much of that coming on designed runs.

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