Joe Milton talks 'Hard work and dedication' before rivalry game against Michigan State
Michigan quarterback Joe Milton was impressive in his Week 1 debut at Minnesota.
Milton completed 15 of his 22 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, along with 8 carries for 52 yards and a score, to guide Michigan to the victory against a Minnesota squad that favored by many.
It was a positive first step in what Wolverines fans hope will be a strong season for their new starting quarterback.
Milton recently discussed in a one-on-one interview how he made a concerted effort in the offseason to become the best leader he could be heading into his junior campaign.
Joe Milton worked on everything this offseason.
⁰⁰But one things stands out: leadership.
One-on-one with @Qbjayy7. pic.twitter.com/MZWYZjo3hH
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 30, 2020
“I worked on my leadership. Trying to get trust from my teammates. My offensive line, receivers, running backs, that was the biggest thing that I worked on. I’m more vocal now,” Milton said. “I’m not scared to say something to someone if they’re doing something wrong. And I just feel like, in order to be a leader, you needed that.”
Based on the way Week 1 went, it was so far, so good on that front.
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Milton is lauded for his arm strength but he lets his peers do the talking.
“I don’t really talk about it. All my guys, all my teammates, they talk about it,” Milton said. “Everybody around us talks about it but me personally, I don’t talk about it.”
Milton’s drive and determination on the field is largely impacted by his upbringing.
“Hard work and dedication is what it takes. As a person, I came from nothing. So I all I knew is work and all I grew up around is football,” Milton said. “My whole main goal is just hard work, just keep grinding no matter what. Don’t let nobody tell you that you can’t do nothing because you always can if you put your mind to it.”
Milton carries that same maturity while on the field.
“If something bad happens in a game, I don’t look down. I don’t show no emotions,” Milton said. “I just move on for the next drive.”
Milton and Michigan will host rival Michigan State on Saturday (11 a.m. CST/FOX).