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Joe Milton can be Jim Harbaugh’s best quarterback yet at Michigan

By Leigh Oleszczak

Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Joe Milton #5 of the Michigan Wolverines scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Joe Milton has shown several wow plays in camp and has a chance to be the best quarterback Jim Harbaugh has had as the Michigan football coach.

Jim Harbaugh has been back at his alma mater as the head coach since 2015 and during that time his quarterbacks have been fine, but not great. Joe Milton gives him a chance to have a “wow” quarterback for the first time in his five-year tenure as Michigan’s head coach.

According to Zach Shaw of 247Sports, Milton has provided wow plays and also has improved mightily throughout fall camp.

"“He’s blessed with a tremendous talent with arm strength. Obviously, he’s very athletic and can move in the pocket. I think that’s the biggest growth that he’s shown is pocket presence. As a bigger guy that stands 6-foot-5, he can see over top of things and he can stand in the pocket and really deliver throws on time.”"

As mentioned, Harbaugh has yet to have a Heisman-worthy quarterback during his time with Michigan. He’s struggled to even have above-average play from the position. He had Jake Rudock in 2015, Wilton Speight from 2015-2017 and Shea Patterson in 2018 and 2019. While those guys were good, it wasn’t enough to get Michigan past Ohio State or into the College Football Playoff.

Will Joe Milton be able to take Michigan to the next level?

Milton has mostly been used in the run game during his two years at Michigan so far, totaling 47 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He’s thrown for 117 yards and a touchdown, but his opportunities to really shine haven’t been there.

The Michigan coaching staff clearly has faith that Milton is going to do great things in Ann Arbor. Shaw’s article continues to dive into those notions where Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis notes how impressive Milton has been.

“I think it’s him taking control and command. Every day out there he makes some type of ‘wow’ play. Those ‘wow’ plays are not just ‘wow’ plays in college football, they’d be ‘wow’ plays on Sundays.”

Michigan opens their 2020 season on Oct. 24 against the Minnesota Gophers in Minneapolis and it’s safe to say everyone will be keeping an eye on Milton and hoping to see a few “wow” plays.

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