UCF QB McKenzie Milton works out in pads, inspires Knights

UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton took another step in his recovery when he suited up in shoulder pads and participated in a practice Tuesday.

While it’s still unclear when Milton might be ready to take a snap during a football game, his perseverance and positive attitude throughout the multi-year recovery process has been an inspiration for his teammates and coaches.

“McKenzie Milton is like a bright sun on a gloomy day,” UCF co-offensive coordinator Alex Golesh said. “KZ is literally the heartbeat of our offense.”

Milton has spent the past 22 months recovering from a horrific knee injury he suffered during the Knights' 2018 regular-season finale against USF at Raymond James Stadium. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair damaged nerves and restore blood flow to his lower right leg. The injury nearly forced doctors to amputate his leg.

He went through multiple surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation before getting clearance from his doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in August to return to practice.

“When he started practicing with us, you look over and he’s got a smile and balls are zipping everywhere,” added Golesh, who joined the UCF coaching staff in December following a stint at Iowa State. "There’s a sense of excitement among everyone on the offense. I know for me, seeing him play from afar and now being around him, to see him out there is incredible and humbling in ways because a lot of people said he shouldn’t be out there or couldn’t be out there.

“It’s a credit to him on his perseverance and drive to be able to get back.”

Senior running back Greg McCrae said Milton’s attitude has been a blessing.

“Ever since the day he was injured, he’s never been angry, sad or down,” McCrae said. “He’s always brought in positive and great energy. Just seeing him with that positive energy just motivates everyone around him.”

McCrae said Milton’s example helped him get through a lower leg injury he suffered midway through last season that forced him to miss a few games.

“I was frustrated and then I looked at him and he was so motivated to get back on the field. I thought, ‘Why am I frustrated? I’ve only had this brace for like a week or two,’” McCrae said. “Guys like him motivate everyone around him.”

Milton has said he has not given himself a timeline for when he expects to be ready to play in a football game again. Instead, he celebrates every milestone. He posted pictures of his practice in pads on Instagram with the caption: “Prayers go up & the blessings come down!”

Golesh said there is no rush to push Milton back onto the field, particularly since the Knights are doing so well on offense so far this season. Milton has assumed a role as adviser and confidant to teammate Dillon Gabriel, supplying a calming voice for the sophomore quarterback.

“I think we’re being smart with him,” Golesh said of Milton. "[We’re] letting him get comfortable in doing everything from taking a snap, to dropping back, to handing the ball off — it’s been two years since people have been around him in terms of football situations.

“I think when he’s ready, he’ll be ready.”

Golesh said Milton is physically ready in terms of being able to practice and receiving clearance to have people around him on the football field, but there’s more to his return than the physical aspects.

“There’s a huge mental side of it as well going through what he went through and to play that position if you’re not 100%,” he said. "… He’s 23 and he knows when he’ll be ready and whenever he says he is, we’ll be ready to play him in whatever role that is. I think anytime you get somebody who’s gone through what he’s gone through, you would rather play him late than too early, so you don’t hinder their progress moving forward.

“Whenever he says he’s ready and the medical staff says he’s ready to go, boy, that’s going to bring a smile to my face in whatever capacity that is.”

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com.

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