Michigan Football: Breaking down transfer of Joe Milton
Michigan football quarterback Joe Milton entering the transfer portal, which he did on Thursday, wasn’t a huge surprise. The fact that he did it just days before spring ball starts might be.
Really, since the season ended and Cade McNamara came in for Milton, then got the start against Penn State, you kind of expected Milton to transfer, especially with five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy signing as part of the 2021 class.
He’s supposed to be the savior at quarterback (although Milton was too at one time) and it didn’t seem likely Milton was going to win the job, but still, the timing is a little curious. Here’s what Milton posted on Twitter as he announced his decision.
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. pic.twitter.com/PeANE2vWmD
— Joe milton #5 (@Qbjayy7) February 18, 2021
Milton came to Michigan football as a four-star quarterback and he got some hype in 2017 and 2018 with his strong arm but didn’t see much action only throwing 11 passes combined in his first two seasons on campus.
This past season, Milton started five games for the Wolverines. He won his first start and everyone was really high on his potential, however, it soon came crashing down and he never looked comfortable in losses to Michigan State, Wisconsin and Indiana.
In 141 passes, Milton completed 56.7 percent of his attempts, while throwing just four touchdowns and also being credited with four interceptions.
The timing, as I said, is a little curious because once he didn’t enter the portal right after the season, I sort of expected Milton to take part in spring ball and go from there.
Obviously, there’s a good chance McCarthy is going to wind up as the starter, at least at some point next season, but Michigan doesn’t have a clear starter going into the fall.
McCarthy is a true freshman and McNamara has one start under his belt, yet has never played an entire game in his college career.
Looking back, Michigan did show some interest in Wisconsin graduate transfer Jack Coan before he ended up at Notre Dame, so it’s possible another veteran quarterback could be added if it was the right fit.
For now, it seems like Michigan would just get through the spring and allow McCarthy, McNamara and Dan Villari a chance to soak up the reps. And as long as McCarthy and McNamara are both solid, that should be enough depth to get the Wolverines through the 2021 season.