FOXBOROUGH – Bazooka-armed Joe Milton III has no fear in his ability to deliver the football.
“Every time the ball leaves my hand, I’m confident in my throw,” Milton said following Friday’s training camp workout in steamy conditions.
The 6th round draft pick from Pahokee, Florida, who previously played at the University of Michigan and graduated a Tennessee Vol, believes that if you’re a rookie, or anyone who plays the quarterback position, mistakes are going to happen. They’re inevitable.
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“If you worry about making a mistake,” Milton said, “you will make a mistake.”
Milton not only has confidence in his ability, but the coaches on the Patriots staff who are teaching him.
The 24-year-old indicated he relies his coaches, which include offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and QB coach T.C. McCartney, to ensure he understands his reads and remains part of the quarterback equation for the Patriots.
“Shout out to them for taking that time out,” Milton said of the coaching staff. “You know, they’ve got families, but it’s a part of their job and (they’re) just willing to make it happen.”
The 6-foot-5 gunslinger particularly appreciates his fellow rookies on the field, who like him, are trying to make the most of their reps.
“My class, you know, they’re special, they’re unique,” he said. “They mean a lot to me. No matter if they came in or if they’re not here no more, they still mean a lot to me. Just ‘cause the Patriots took a chance on us and we all came in together. Being able to just treat it like college all over again…those are the guys I want to graduate with.”
In his 2023 season, he completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,813 yards and recorded 20 touchdowns for Tennessee. Now, Milton has a new offense to learn, and a whole different set of targets to develop chemistry with in Pop Douglas, K.J Osborn, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Luckily, he’s been a quick study so far.
“We’ve been everywhere, but you know, that’s what Tennessee prepared us for – playing in that offense,” he said. “You don’t let guys get set. So it’s just being able to just work off what you see.”
Above all else, the 2024 Reece’s Senior Bowl invitee is looking forward to cultivating and building on friendships with his Patriots teammates heading into his first NFL season, and trusting his next booming pass.
“It’s been great,” he said. “The opportunity to be out here, it’s just a blessing.”
