New UCF head coach Scott Frost (and former Oregon offensive coordinator) made it clear during his introductory press conference that he wanted to implement the system he ran with the Ducks, bringing an up-tempo, spread-’em-out offense to Orlando.
Not even two months into the job, and he might have already found the quarterback that will eventually serve as the key cog in a fast-paced scheme that is heavily reliant on the athleticism of the man taking snaps under center.
https://twitter.com/McChickenzie/status/690032765430005761
McKenzie Milton, a three-star prospect and the No. 84 overall “athlete” from the recruiting class of 2016 (247Sports), was a longtime Hawaii commit before flipping to the Knights after an official visit on Wednesday.
“I landed on Monday and met with (quarterbacks coach) Mario Verduzco. My first impression was he was kind of a character,” Milton said jokingly, according to 247Sports. “I then fell in love with the coaching staff, fell in love with the guys, and I fell in love with the campus. I’m definitely excited.”
Milton traveled over 4,000 miles for his official visit this week, hoping to find what he was looking for in a program while rekindling a connection made with Scott last summer when he won QB MVP honors at Oregon’s camp. UCF clearly made an impact on the dual-threat quarterback, who won Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year as a member of the Mililani High School (Mililani, HI) football team.
“That might’ve been the biggest reason, to be honest with you,” said Milton. “[Coach Frost] has a great résumé, he’s a great coach. He’s kind of like a big brother, coach-father figure, and I’m really excited to play for him.”
Pending the inevitability of adding bulk to his 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame, Milton has the ideal traits to run Frost’s system: He’s fast, smart, and efficient. As a junior, Milton was named Hawaii’s Offensive Player of the Year, passing for 3,392 yards and 35 touchdowns, while also rushing for 808 yards on 96 carries and 12 touchdowns. During that season, he led the Warriors to a 14-0 record and a state championship.
As a senior, Milton missed time with a shoulder sprain, but still passed for over 2,300 yards and 30 touchdowns.
With Justin Holman returning for his senior season, it’s likely that Milton will receive a redshirt in 2016 before competing for the starting job as a second-year freshman in 2017. Frost and UCF fans alike are hoping he’ll be able to thrive in an offense that helped former Heisman winner Marcus Mariota become the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
“I’m honored that the comparison can be drawn, but I have a ways to go to be compared to that guy [Mariota],” said Milton. “But it’s going to be a fun journey and I look forward to doing it with Coach Frost and Coach Verduzco and all those guys down there at Central Florida.”
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