Michigan football: Joe Milton explains decision to transfer, fallout for Wolverines

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton posted a tweet about his decision to leave the program and enter the transfer portal.

The Michigan football team could not find much of a rhythm on offense during what was a shortened 2020 college football season. Joe Milton got the most time under center before Cade McNamara took over as the starter toward the end of the season.

Milton was benched near the end of the season and was likely set for a competition for the starting job in 2021. That won’t be happening because Milton entered the transfer portal and explained his decision in a tweet.

Joe Milton leaves Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy as options to start

Milton has three years of eligibility remaining and can play right away because of his graduate status. That instantly makes him a name to watch due to his 6-foot-5 frame and ability to run as well.

This now leaves Michigan with questions heading into the spring. What was going to be a three-way competition is now down to McNamara and true freshman J.J. McCarthy. The latter is one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in his class and enrolled at Michigan in January.

McCarthy is poised, at least on paper, to be the future at Michigan. He was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in his class.

Milton now has his share of options and a program would be landing a veteran college quarterback with starting experience in the Big Ten. Anyone thinking he is giving up on his team should remember there were several coaching changes made at Michigan that affect Milton much more than someone like McCarthy who just arrived.

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