Joe Milton III

Joe Milton III Bio

Joseph Jay Milton III is an American professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Born on March 6, 2000, in Pahokee, Florida, Milton played college football at the University of Michigan and the University of Tennessee before entering the NFL. The New England Patriots selected Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 193rd overall pick. He joined the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025 via trade and serves as a backup quarterback to Dak Prescott.

Early Life and Background

Milton grew up in Pahokee, Florida, before his family relocated to Orlando. He attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida, where he developed into a highly rated quarterback prospect. His performance in high school attracted attention from multiple college programs, and he ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Michigan. Milton’s early exposure to football came through his family, as his cousin, Anquan Boldin, enjoyed a distinguished NFL career from 2003 to 2016 and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens.

Path to American Football

As a high school quarterback at Olympia High School, Milton established himself as a promising dual-threat prospect with a strong arm and impressive athleticism. His combination of size, arm strength, and mobility made him an attractive recruit for major college programs. After graduating from Olympia High School, Milton committed to play at the University of Michigan, beginning his journey toward professional football. His development during his high school years laid the foundation for his collegiate career at two major programs.

Joe Milton III Career

College Career: Michigan (2018–2020)

Milton arrived at the University of Michigan in 2018 and spent his first two seasons as a backup to starting quarterback Shea Patterson. During the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he appeared in eight games, completing 6 of 11 passes for 117 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while also scoring two rushing touchdowns. His limited playing time provided him with valuable experience in Michigan’s offensive system while he developed his skills behind an established starter.

Entering the 2020 season, Milton competed with Dylan McCaffrey for the starting quarterback position. After McCaffrey transferred, Milton became the favorite to win the job. He began the season as the starter but gradually lost playing time to Cade McNally as the season progressed. Milton finished the shortened 2020 campaign with 1,077 passing yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions to go along with 109 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in Michigan’s 2-4 season.

College Career: Tennessee (2021–2023)

Following his time at Michigan, Milton transferred to the University of Tennessee to continue his collegiate career. The coaching staff named him the starting quarterback entering the 2021 season. During the Volunteers’ second game against Pittsburgh, Milton suffered an injury that caused him to miss time. Hendon Hooker, a transfer from Virginia Tech, took over the starting position and Milton transitioned to a backup role for the remainder of the season. He appeared in relief situations, including a memorable performance against top-ranked Georgia in a November loss.

The 2022 season saw Milton serve primarily as Hooker’s backup, though he produced efficiently when called upon in relief duty. On November 19 against South Carolina, Hooker suffered a season-ending ACL injury, thrusting Milton into the starting role for the remainder of the season. He made his first start of the season against Vanderbilt, passing for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 56-0 victory. Tennessee qualified for the Orange Bowl against Clemson, where Milton delivered a standout performance, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns to earn MVP honors in the 31-14 victory.

Milton began the 2023 season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback and showed his dual-threat abilities early. He threw for two passing touchdowns and ran for two rushing touchdowns in a season-opening victory over Virginia. During a game against UTSA, Milton scored on an 81-yard rushing touchdown on the Volunteers’ first offensive drive, setting the program record for the longest rushing play by a quarterback. He continued to produce solid numbers throughout the season, including a 271-yard, two-touchdown performance in a loss to Alabama. Milton finished his final collegiate season with an 8-4 record after opting out of Tennessee’s bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Professional Career: New England Patriots (2024–2025)

The New England Patriots selected Joe Milton III in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Patriots acquired the selection by trading quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Milton signed his rookie contract on May 10, 2024, and began his professional career as the third-string quarterback behind Jacoby Brissett and fellow rookie Drake Maye.

Milton made his NFL debut on January 5, 2025, in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills. He entered the game in relief of Maye after the opening drive and performed admirably, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and accounting for two touchdowns in the Patriots’ 23-16 victory. The win knocked Buffalo out of contention for the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Throughout his time with the Patriots, Milton showcased the arm strength and athleticism that made him an intriguing prospect.

Professional Career: Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)

On April 3, 2025, the Patriots traded Milton to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. The Cowboys acquired Milton to provide depth behind starting quarterback Dak Prescott. In his first season with the Cowboys, Milton appeared in four games in a backup role. He completed passes for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions during his limited opportunities. The trade gave Milton the chance to develop within one of the NFL’s most prominent franchises while learning behind an established veteran quarterback.

Playing Style and Strengths

Milton possesses a strong arm that allows him to make all the throws required at the NFL level. His size at 6 feet 5 inches and 236 pounds gives him the frame to see over offensive lines and absorb contact in the pocket. Beyond his arm talent, Milton demonstrates notable mobility and speed for his size, evidenced by his numerous rushing touchdowns in college and his record-setting 81-yard run at Tennessee. He combines pocket presence with the ability to extend plays with his legs, making him a dual-threat quarterback who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. His arm strength particularly shines on deep passes, while his mobility adds a dimension that keeps defenses honest.

Notable Events and Milestones

Milton’s career has already featured several memorable moments. His MVP performance in the 2022 Orange Bowl against Clemson demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion on a big stage. He passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns in that victory, establishing himself as a capable starter when called upon. His 81-yard rushing touchdown against UTSA set a Tennessee program record and highlighted his elite athleticism for the position. In his NFL debut with the Patriots, Milton delivered a composed performance in a meaningful game, leading a victory that had playoff implications. These moments showcase his ability to perform when given opportunities at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Joe Milton III Career Statistics

Throughout his college and professional career, Milton has accumulated impressive statistics that reflect his dual-threat abilities. His college career spanned six seasons across two major programs, where he demonstrated consistent production both through the air and on the ground. His professional career began with limited opportunities with the Patriots before continuing with the Cowboys, but he has shown enough promise to remain in the NFL as a developmental quarterback.

Professional Career Highlights

In his rookie NFL season, Milton appeared in five games total between the Patriots and Cowboys. With New England, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns in his lone significant appearance against Buffalo. Following the trade to Dallas, he appeared in four games as Prescott’s backup, passing for 183 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. His combined professional statistics through 2025 include 37 completions in 53 attempts for 424 passing yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 90.4 passer rating, along with 66 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

College Career Summary

At Tennessee, Milton completed his collegiate career on a strong note during the 2023 season, throwing for 383 yards and four touchdowns in a victory over Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale. His performance that day marked the most touchdowns accounted for by a Volunteer in a single game since 2009. The Orange Bowl MVP honor in 2022 remains one of his career highlights, showcasing his ability to perform in high-stakes games.

Joe Milton III Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Milton’s family has established connections to professional football. His cousin, Anquan Boldin, enjoyed a distinguished NFL career spanning 13 seasons from 2003 to 2016. Boldin played for multiple teams including the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers, and he won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens in the 2012 season. Boldin’s success in the NFL provided Milton with a family connection to professional football and likely influenced his career path. Growing up in Pahokee, Florida, Milton benefited from this family legacy while forging his own identity as a quarterback.

Personal Life

Milton was born and raised in Pahokee, Florida, before his family moved to Orlando, Florida, where he attended Olympia High School. He has maintained a relatively private personal life away from football. His focus on football development and his progression through high school, college, and into the NFL reflects his commitment to the sport. As he continues his professional career with the Cowboys, Milton works daily to refine his skills and potentially earn a larger role within the franchise.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked Milton’s first full season with the Dallas Cowboys following his mid-season trade from New England. He joined the Cowboys as the primary backup to Dak Prescott, a role that provided him with valuable experience in one of the NFL’s most high-profile offenses. While his opportunities to play remained limited, Milton appeared in four games and demonstrated progress in his understanding of the Cowboys’ offensive system and playbook.

Throughout the season, Milton worked closely with the Cowboys’ coaching staff to develop his game and prepare for any opportunities that arose. His combination of arm strength and mobility gives the Cowboys a developmental quarterback with untapped potential. The coaching staff valued his physical tools and his ability to contribute on special teams in certain packages when not playing quarterback.

Looking ahead, Milton aims to continue his development and potentially compete for a larger role in the Cowboys’ offense. His contract situation and future with the team will become clearer as he gains more experience in the NFL. The 2025 season provided him with important reps and film to study as he works toward becoming a more complete quarterback capable of leading an offense at the professional level.