Michigan Football: 5 Realistic predictions for Joe Milton in 2020

Postseason awards?

Don’t worry, I’m not about to start the Joe Milton for Heisman Trophy hype. It’s way, way too early for that. Talk to me next fall if he doesn’t declare for the 2021 NFL draft.

I also doubt that Milton will win Big Ten Player of the Year or anything like that or even big First-Team All Big-Ten. Justin Fields is the best quarterback in the conference, that’s not disputed.

However, I do think Milton will play well enough to earn some recognition from the media and the coaches in the Big Ten. While he has been compared to Cam Newton, I don’t see that at all.

I doubt that Michgan football will have Milton running all over the place. Certain spots? Sure. Especially in goal-line and short-yardage situations. Like Patterson, my guess is he runs for a few hundred yards and maybe 5-6 touchdowns.

Yet, this season will still be full of learning experiences and growing pains. Look at Joe Burrow. Things didn’t click for him until the end of his first season starting with LSU, then once it did, the sky was the limit.

I’m not trying to compare Milton to Burrow either. Just making the point that quarterbacks take time to develop and gain that tranquility needed to pick defenses apart.

Truth be told, by season’s end, I see Milton in the conversation with guys like Jack Coan and Sean Clifford, even Tanner Morgan for Second and Third Team All-Big Ten. It’s all subjective but I think he’ll play well enough to earn that designation.