Kendall Milton had a productive career in Athens but never established himself among the elite. Instead, the Georgia Bulldogs running back used his compelling running style to be reliable and consistent and ground out yards when it mattered.
The college stats show that Milton may have had a less-than-fruitful career. Still, they show tenacity, adversity, and perseverance to become one of Georgia’s favorite running backs over his four-year career.
Milton Has a Slow Start To His Georgia Career
Milton committed to Georgia as a five-star recruit out of Buchanan High School in California. As a highly touted recruit, the running back also had interest from Alabama and Ohio State, among others, but opted to join the Bulldogs rotation.
Able to see the field early as a freshman, Milton played seven games in 2020 but was used infrequently. He didn’t have more than eight touches in any game of his freshman campaign and suffered an injury against the Florida Gators that meant he missed time at the end of the season.
Milton ended the season ranked fifth on the team in rushing attempts and yards and was still searching for his first career touchdown. Nonetheless, his performances in his rookie season earned the Georgia RB Freshman All-SEC Team honors.
Rushing Attempts: 35
Rushing Yards: 193
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Receiving Attempts: 1
Receiving Yards: 22
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
Injury Stops Milton’s Momentum in Sophomore Season
Entering 2021, Milton was expecting more game time. He played seven games in his sophomore year and scored his first career touchdown four games into the season.
Milton’s usage remained constant through his sophomore campaign. His first rushing touchdown came against Arkansas, when he had 12 rushing attempts for 48 yards, helping the Bulldogs remain undefeated through the season.
However, he missed six games late in the year because of injuries, returning for the College Football Playoffs as the Bulldogs lifted the National Championship Trophy.
At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Miton was Georgia’s fourth-leading rusher, ready to kick on heading into his junior season.
Rushing Attempts: 56
Rushing Yards: 264
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
Receiving Attempts: 2
Receiving Yards: 5
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
Milton’s Usage Ramps Up In Junior Year
Milton’s usage increased in 2022 as he played 13 games as a junior. It was another magical season in Athens as the Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships with significant contributions for the RB.
In the opening game against Oregon, Milton started strong, taking eight rushes for 50 yards and one touchdown while adding one reception for 18 receiving yards and a score.
The usage remained consistent throughout the season, with Milton continuing to produce powerful performances and score touchdowns. His first career 100-yard game came in the SEC Championship Game against LSU when the Georgia RB had eight attempts for 113 yards rushing.
Milton ended the season ranked third — behind Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards — on the team with 592 rushing yards.
Rushing Attempts: 85
Rushing Yards: 592
Rushing Touchdowns: 8
Receiving Attempts: 5
Receiving Yards: 64
Receiving Touchdowns: 1
Milton Sets Career Highs In Senior Season
Milton had the best year of his career as a senior in 2023. Playing in 13 games, he led the team in rushing touchdowns (14) and finished second in rushing yards (790).
Milton has at least one touchdown in the last nine games and had three games with 100-plus rushing yards. His 18 rushes for 156 yards against Georgia Tech were the most of his career, while he tied his career-long run of 51 yards against Ole Miss.
KEEP READING: Georgia Bulldogs Coaching Staff 2024
He also showed up in the most significant moments, having 13 rushing attempts, 24 yards, and two touchdowns in Georgia’s SEC Championship loss to Alabama. Furthermore, Milton had nine attempts for 104 yards and two touchdowns in his final college game in the Orange Bowl against Florida State.
Rushing Attempts: 121
Rushing Yards: 790
Rushing Touchdowns: 14
Receiving Attempts: 4
Receiving Yards: 25
Receiving Touchdowns: 0
Milton’s Final College Stats
Rushing Attempts: 297
Rushing Yards: 1,839
Rushing Touchdowns: 23
Receiving Attempts: 12
Receiving Yards: 116
Receiving Touchdowns: 1
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