Kendall Milton, RB Georgia : Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Milton was a four-star recruit from Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif. in the class of 2020
The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the top running back factories in the country. Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton are primed to be the next great Bulldog backs now that James Cook and Zamir White are in the NFL. Today we’ll explore Milton’s profile for the 2023 NFL Draft and explain what he needs to prove this season.
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Kendall Milton, RB Georgia: 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior running back from Fresno, Calif.
Background: Milton was a four-star recruit from Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 53 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 29 (five-star) for Rivals, and No. 50 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 96th in the nation with an 84 grade out of 100. As a high school junior, Milton carried the ball 174 times for 1,337 yards and 27 touchdowns. He produced 175 carries for 1,514 yards and 23 touchdowns, along with eight receptions for 117 yards and two scores as a sophomore and 65 carries for 478 yards and six rushing touchdowns as a freshman. Milton was selected for the 2020 All-American Bowl. His older brother (Ka’Lonn) played football at Fresno State and Fort Lewis College. Milton’s uncle (Kevin Hardy) was a Consensus All-American and the 1995 Dick Butkus Award winner as the nation’s most outstanding linebacker at Illinois. Hardy was the No. 2 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in the league for nine years and was a First-Team All-Pro in 1999.
2021 Production: 8 games, 56 carries, 264 yards, 1 touchdown
2020 Production: 7 games, 35 carries, 193 yards
Injuries & Off-Field: Needed medical attention for an injury against Florida (2020), missed 7 games with a shoulder injury and an MCL strain in 2021
Awards: 2020 Freshman All-SEC
Pros: Displays good vision on inside runs, willing pass blocker, has some experience on all of the four major special teams units, finishes falling forward, legs keep churning as he moves the pile, lowers his pads into contact, bounces off shoulder tackles, displays proper patience as he waits for running lanes, drags defensive backs for several yards, contact balance, motor runs hot as a runner, some ability to manipulate defenders, nice footwork to put defenders on skates, varies foot speed in the open field to freeze and hold defenders, above average lateral movement and cuts for a running back his size, exceptional play strength, showcases a dead leg frequently
Cons: Fewer than two dozen career reps in pass pro, minimal to no experience in the slot, only has five career targets and three receptions, absolutely must find a way to see playing time in third down scenarios, two fumbles on under 100 carries, appears to run a little high, doesn’t appear to have good hands as a pass catcher or a deep understanding of route running or how to attack the football while it’s in the air, not twitchy or sudden, burst appears to be average, questionable long speed
Overview: Milton is unofficially listed at 6'1", 220 lbs. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of him in a Bulldog uniform because of the injury he suffered in 2021 and Georgia’s depth at running back. However, Milton and fellow underutilized Georgia back Kenny McIntosh are on the draft radar entering 2022. Milton’s contact balance, strength, and physical running style are all top notch in this class. We're talking bouncing off shoulder tackles, lowering into contact, dragging defenders for extra yards, and moving the pile with leg drive. Sometimes he plays too much into his physicality by seeking out contact instead of avoiding it, but that might play into my next point. Milton appears to only have average burst and hasn’t had many opportunities to display his long speed. Looking back at his high school tape, Milton pulled away from defenders frequently, but he didn’t appear to have great speed for the college or pro level. These physical limitations could be why he leans so heavily into his physicality. To Milton’s credit, he has excellent footwork and surprising lateral agility for a larger running back. He’s also displayed some ability to manipulate defenders and make them miss in space, often relying on a dead leg or varied foot speed to throw off his opponents. Milton has played almost no role as a pass catcher or pass blocker up to this point, which could limit his ceiling as a prospect.
Overall, Milton lacks high-end burst and long speed, but his physicality and contact balance have been dominant since he was a freshman playing against a full slate of SEC competition. The former four-star also shows impressive footwork, lateral movement, and cuts for a running back his size. Unfortunately, Milton’s physical skill set and lack of involvement in passing situations makes him project as an early Day 3 situational running back at the next level.
Role & Scheme Fit: Early down back in a gap or power scheme
Round Projection: Late Fourth to Mid Fifth
Player Comparison: N/A
Submitted: 07-22-22