Michigan Quarterback Joe Milton Announces Transfer Portal Plans

ANN ARBOR, MI — Joe Milton, who started last season as Michigan’s starting quarterback, announced he will leave the program and is entering the transfer portal.

Milton, a former four-star recruit, announced the decision on Twitter on Thursday morning. He was expected to compete for the starting job again in the fall. The Florida native will enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, which will allow him to play immediately wherever he lands. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“I want to thank coach (Jim) Harbaugh for giving me the opportunity to come play for a program with lots of tradition,” Milton wrote in the post. “I have bonds with my brothers that will last forever.”

Milton was slated to be one of three quarterbacks on Michigan’s roster in the spring along with redshirt freshman Cade McNamara, who took over the starting job after Milton faded last season, and freshman J.J. McCarthy.

Milton threw for 1,077 yards and four touchdowns in four games last season. Three of those touchdown passes came in a loss to Indiana when Milton threw for 344 yards on 18-of-34 passing in a 38-21 loss. Milton also threw for 300 yards in a loss to rival Michigan State on Oct. 31. Milton played sparingly after a 49-11 loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 14 when he completed just nine of 19 passes against the Badgers, including two interceptions.

McNamara took over as Michigan’s starter and Milton made his final appearance in a game on Nov. 28 in a loss to Penn State when he went 1-for-3 for 21 yards.

Milton becomes to the second quarterback to leave Harbaugh’s program since end of the season. Dylan McCaffrey, who opted out of the 2020 season, also entered the transfer portal and announced he will play at Northern Colorado next season.