UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton opened up the 2018 season considered by some to be a dark-horse Heisman candidate. He lived up to that in Week 1 with a ruthlessly efficient performance against UConn, but in the second game of the season his efforts weren’t nearly as effective.
Then the Knights had to cancel their third game against North Carolina, and in the meantime players like Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert and others have emerged as front-runners with stellar starts to the season.
After what he did Friday night at home against Florida Atlantic, it’s fair to say that Milton has inserted himself squarely in the Heisman race going forward.
Milton was unstoppable on Friday night. The junior dual-threat quarterback put on a clinic, both as a passer (21-of-32 for 306 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions) and as a runner (81 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries).
Even better, the Knights rolled over the Owls, 56-36, improving to 3-0 on the season.
Milton has clearly taken to the tutelage of new head coach Josh Heupel, and the Knights have the opportunity to help the quarterback put up huge stats the rest of the season given their schedule.
It’s a long season. Anything can happen going forward. But for right now, it’s clear that Milton belongs on the short list of players who have a legitimate chance to hoist the Heisman Trophy this coming December in New York.