UCF head football coach Josh Heupel and members of the Knights' football team made their way to Newport, R.I., earlier this week to participate in the American Athletic Conference's Media Days. Among the storylines was the emergence of McKenzie Milton as one of the top players in the nation heading into 2018. Members of the national media and coaches from across The American weighed in on what type of player Milton is for the Knights.
Ken Niumatalolo, Navy Head Coach
"I'm just really proud of McKenzie. I'm really, really impressed. I believe he's one of the best quarterabacks in the country. His play on the field last year was phenomenal. These are the kinds of things he did back in Hawaii. Obviously, he's been phenomenal for UCF and he's been great for our league. He deserves all the accolades he's been getting. You watch him play, 'Holy smokes!' He makes so many plays. I love watching him play. I just don't like playing against him."
Kevin Negandhi, ESPN
"First of all, the kid is dynamic. When you watch the kid play, you hold your breath because you know he's going to make plays. He's also one of those guys who, when he has the ball … you stop what you're doing because you're waiting for him to create. Not many guys have that dynamic where they can create, but also deliver with their legs and their arm. When you look at Heisman players through the years, there's always going to be a moment. We're just waiting for McKenzie to give us that moment in 2018."
Andy Staples, Sports Illustrated
"McKenzie Milton is one of the most fun quarterbacks to watch in college football, because you never know what's going to happen. It doesn't matter if the play breaks down, UCF still has a chance. UCF still has a chance. There are not many programs in the country where you can say that, where you know there's a quarterback that if he gets in trouble all is lost. That's one of the most fun things about McKenzie is when somebody breaks through, when a guy misses a block, that's when the real fun starts. He might get away, all of a sudden a receiver might pop open and he hits them way downfield or he just may take off running. He's always an adventure every time he touches the ball."
Rob Dibble, 97.9 ESPN Radio, Hartford, Conn.
"He had an amazing year (in 2017). With Josh Heupel taking over as the head coach, you have a guy who has been at that level. You have a guy who knows what it takes. You're going to have to put up big numbers, but when you're talking about running backs and quarterbacks continuing to win the Heisman Trophy, he's got a great shot to win it."
Ralph Russo, Associated Press
(McKenzie) "is a big play waiting to happen. I think he averaged about 10 yards per pass last year that's elite level. He's got a little bit of Johnny Manzel in his game, but he does have a really good arm, the escapability. Here's what McKenzie Milton has going for him. He has the name recognition. He has already built up the cachet and the credibility off of last year. So if UCF goes off again and he has another big year … he's got a leg up on most guys in his position."
Mike Aresco, American Athletic Conference Commissioner
"He's a tremendous player, a tremendous quarterback, a tremendous athlete. He seems like just a really good teammate. I think he's going to be very dangerous. I look forward to watching him. He is just a special player. There's no question he is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. McKenzie Milton is as good as it comes. I think he should absolutely be in that (Heisman) conversation."
Mike Norvell, Memphis Head Coach
"He's an exceptional player. Watching him and his progression through the last couple years, it's been so impressive to see. Seeing the development and the confidence he has when he gets on the field, the way he makes everybody around him better, the leadership … he's definitely one of the nation's best. It's a compliment to the work that he's put in. As he moves forward in his career, he's going to definitely be a young man that's in the spotlight and it's fun to watch him. I know there's one day this next season I'm not going to want to see him a whole lot."
Pete Thamel, Yahoo Sports
"With the season UCF had last year and the production McKenzie Milton had, he has certainly earned his way into the Heisman race."
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