Warriors are getting “very special” QB
Mililani High QB McKenzie Milton accepted a football-scholarship offer from the Warriors yesterday.
Today, Milton — and his Mililani teammates and coaches — marched in a parade.
OK, OK, those two events are not related. But with the way Milton’s life has gone recently, hey, it would seem possible. Two weeks ago, Milton threw for 421 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the Trojans to a 53-45 victory over Punahou in the state championship game. This past week, Milton, a junior, received a 2016 offer from the Warriors. Yesterday, he accepted.
This is one of the most important recruits for the Warriors. Here are reasons why:
> Milton is smart. Head coach Rod York said Milton often gets to his fourth progression before making a throw. That’s remarkable considering each of the receivers has up to four routes per play.
> His family has been UH season-ticket buyers for 26 seasons. He followed Timmy Chang long before Chang installed Mililani’s offense in 2010.
> Milton can pass. He can run. He can pass while running. “He’s definitely worth more than the price of admission,” York said.
> Milton already is a good UH teammate. “I hope a couple more guys from Hawaii will be willing to come along with me,” he said.
> York said he told UH coach Norm Chow: “I hope you know you’re getting a very special kid.”
Everybody still sleeping?
Getting Milton can certainly lead to more Mililani recruits choosing UH. I’m not too worried about him changing his mind. Even Coach York made it clear that Milton has expressed his want to play for UH. Hopefully he has a great senior year (injury free) and continues to grow and improve.
It is good that McKenzie has committed. Of course there will be poachers along the way and 2016 is a long way off. But to hear a talented young local athlete relate their appreciation for UH and those who have gone before is profound. There is a proud football tradition at UH. The tradition is a little beaten up of late, yes. But it is good to know it still lives in the hearts of some of our young local athletes, even if MM gets poached by some more glamorous program along the way.
I may not be sold on Milton’s measurables yet, but I am definitely sold on his play and his character. I deeply respect the fact that he is so vocal with his support of the home team and his willingness and desire to be a part of the solution.
This is definitely a kid I want on my team. Congratulations and welcome! A growth spurt in height would go a long way to settle any doubts I may have.
He is smart with his words. Endorses the coach while recruiting for Hawaii, all while accepting his own scholie. Impressive kid.
‘Cats Roll, Cats Roll! 45-7…
Ok Wahine, Shock Da Vball World.
Milton could be the most influential recruit in quite some time….. Only debate is if its too late considering he is a 2016 kid…
I don’t think Hawaii has had a local recruit this influential since Timmy Chang. When the top QB commits to a local school, others will follow. Not saying Milton is going to be the answer, but a commit like him will have others thinking they can build something special here. Malepeai, Timoteo, Rex Manu, Keala Santiago, Jordan Agasiva, Kesi Ah Hoy, Seufagafaga Luafatasaga are all kids who would want to join… Agasiva already committing. Need more kids like Salanoa Wily and Milton…
3-prong–the feather in the cap, so to speak, was chip kelly stopping by to show his aloha for da Oregon boys and probably giving dem a couple secret plays, see:http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2014/12/chip_kelly_stops_by_to_win_lin.html
Class act dat Chip!!!
Good morning, Tsaikos!
OMGoodness, this recruitment news is so fabulous it literally makes me cry! 😀
For D1shima and trey prong (dats more street now!!!) see: http://www.d3football.com/playoffs/2014/scoreboard
Northern Iowa down 0-21 with about 6 minutes left in the half against Illinois St. (#7 in FCS Coaches poll) in FCS round 2. It looks really cold. It’s nice to be in Hawaii.
7.
Yeah I keep forgetting he’s only a Junior
Mr. Milton – Congratulations on your offer and then for accepting it, and for deciding to represent the Warriors! Chehuu!!!
I too am hoping as many other of our island folk are, that our keiki who are a part of teams that also have winning seasons and championships here in the islands will also decide to stay home and help out (get wins for and with – ultimately; we fans are tinkin’, right?) our Warrior Teams 😀
This news sure makes my day week month year decade… hehe 😎 <3
Thank you for the exciting news, ST!! Thank you Milton parents!! Thank you, McKenzie!!
Yahooo!!
Good morning everyone!
Welcome to the Warrior future, McKenzie Milton!
It is reassuring that “His family has been UH season-ticket buyers for 26 seasons”.
sun has retuned to the valley – much needed for hot water – no breeze humid
Hawaiian Tel cable – channel 68@ 1pm for UH-BYU basketball
– channel 36 @5:30pm UH – Washington VB
I would be nervous if Rich Rod watched his video and offered though… Arizona offense is taylor made for Milton.
Glad Milton accepted the scholarship offer from UH.
Will Norm Chow still be the head coach in 2016?
Time will tell.
If any of you Tsaikos have gotten to see, and if not, make it a point to see the ESPN Dallas Cowboys a football life –The Great Wall. It’s about their glory years and the run they made through the early-mid 90s.
It dedicates a fair amount to the very unappreciated, late great Mark Tuinei. A 15 year NFL pro, for those of us from that era, we know both his athletic lore and the type of local Bruddha he was….Jimmy Johnson calls him probably one of the most underrated player of his era. From basically a free agent at about 245 pounds, switching over to the Oline, gaining over 75 pounds and holding down probably the most difficult position, outside of QB, left tackle, for over a decade. He was big, strong, and had the feet of a DB. Anyone who use to go the Tuesday night bball games at Punahou would attest to his incredible agility. I played against him in both HS and college, and he was rare rare big boy athlete….
So, while we have had many great era and lineman, those early 80s teams are the benchmark and standard for almost eternity as applied to the UH family. To be certain, between Jesse and Tui, you would have 6 Super Bowl wins, close to 250 games started and several pro bowls. If you add the big guy from Canada jim mills, you would have over 300 NFL starts from just 3 those guys.
A must see for all Tsaikos….
boo, d1: I heard Chip shares the swag too. Kind of worried about dem eagles for my ‘boys tho.
nice recruit but i don’t think his future is QB. He is athletic enough to be a receiver or safety. too small for QB.
20:
Geez you sure know how to bring down da mood 🙁 sheesh (hint hint lol)
I’m still stoked AND Hoping more to follow his example..!
Ticket prices…. wonder if that may happen here..if changes are not made…
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/medium-latte-or-redskins-tickets-this-week–they-cost-about-the-same-191947533.html
Milton Money Machine Football…those M&M’s will be sweet to UH Football.
Better hold your breath it’s starting to tick
Better hold my hand I’m feeling sick
(Milton) Hello Dad!
(Prof) What have I done?
(M.) I’m Milton, Your brand new son!
Hello Daddy!
McKenzie “The Monster Man” Milton
Hopefully the commitment came in person … and not in a phone call.
I hope that Alohi Gilman is a future Warrior, too.
Malapeai, Mamiya, Manu, would be nice.
Taulapapaa, Santiago….
Imagine Saldana-Wily, Manu, along side Mr. Kennedy?
It’s so heartwarming for me when the talented kids of Hawai’i choose to stay home to play for and represent our state’s team. I totally understand when a person chooses to go to a mainland school. Most of those school’s facilities are magnitudes better than what UH has. However, the ohana and aloha one gets from playing in front of friends and family cannot be matched. My dream is that there will be a day when the best players of Hawai’i all choose to play for the home team. Thank you McKenzie.
20. That’s probably what they told Russell Wilson in high school too.
These BYU commentators are horrible. First they showed a picture of Aaron Valdes with a Colorado State mascot graphic behind him, and they said the team is 7-2 and all of their games being played at home…
26. Hopefully walk on.
Tweener with no real position. Maybe nickel or ST guy
Bball Bows doing well. 21-16 in the first half. They are causing BYU a lot of turnovers
boo: maybe the greatest assemblage ( is dat one word?) of talent on an offensive line ever. Guess the road to the SB didn’t go through Candlestick in some of those years.
26-17 UH 6:11 left. UH is a lot more physical
yikes talk about a drought. 30-26 BYU 2:53 left
Anybody knows what happened to Negus Webster-Chan? I don’t see him on the bench.
yea TO SHORT…. not an ‘ideal’n QB… but not need IDEAL ONE TO WIN SUPER BOWL…
JESSE had heart problems….but bill walsh had faith in him…n as they say the rest is history…
glenn cunningham was told he would probably never walk again after his both legs were burnt in a explosion n fire…yet he ran a sub 4 minute mile…go figga….
it is the heart that is most important…
many notable (gold medalist) swimmers..had their training in a puunene irrigation ditch under an also notable coach (sakamoto)
is not ur stature that makes u what u area….but it does help…no amount of training can do it alone…is mostly true in life…business…n athletics n most other professions..
GIVEEEM MILTON…IMUA
37.
Yeah I thought it was odd he hasn’t played yet. I didn’t really look at the bench though but now that you said it I don’t see him either. Sick maybe?
37 to 30 BYU over UH at halftime
Coach Taylor going deep into his bench to keep players fresh because of the altitude.
???NWC???
per BrianMcInnis om Twitter “Word is Negus Webster-Chan has a sprained ankle, per UH sports information”
Thanks Andrew too bad for Negus.
andrew.. THE ONE thing this young coach is weak at..is how to handle opponents n bounce back…
happened with point.. n they lost… hope not seeing it here again…
hope he can correct that…don’t want to see them fade in late season in conference play…
45
Both teams have been very streaky in the first half though so the 2nd half should be very interesting. Having the halftime break is good though because the team seemed to have lost a little energy toward the end of the half. It could be the elevation playing a factor a bit
Great news. Having seen him play, must agree that he is very,very special. Think of a young Colt Brennan with wheels! He is going to be something to see!
GO WARRIORS!
Qb like Milton will speed up UHs offense. He is Kellen Moore special.
27. Wayne would be a huge get.
from all accounts on here…he is a ‘very special’ one…
Maybe he can entice a few of his fellow seniors…in 2 years…to stay home n play alongside him… n we have to also remember…he had a ‘coach’ in York…that used his abilities… n did make him conform to his ‘system’…who knows what it will be like in 2 years up there…
Woot! (Boo/3-Prong)
On to Whitewater!
(Isn’t is amazing how may of the top teams in DIII rock the purple?)
Pulling for former UH OC Paul Johnson.
“I used two hands!”
That NissanHeismanHouse commercial is classic! 🙂
Anybody going to watch the MW Championship.?
I’m still debating.
Is there a football game somewhere under all that fog? 😈
d1: …Woot! Keep shaking up the brackets! Backing PJ’s option too.
that dude running back from wisconsin…shot at the heisman…going down thee tubes…n so is their defense so far…
guess our boys ran out of gas up there in utah…
I was surprised Anu got pulled out of the game being down 23-0 at halftime. Yeah that’s pretty bad but by no means out of the game to pull out your starter.
Imagine if we beat Fresno, we would be playing on cbs right now. Lol
There’s a QB named Kellen Moore that many bloggers really liked (as long as he did’t play against Hawaii). Listed as 6’0″ but probably a inch or so shorter than that.
I saw Eddie LeBaron play – he was good and probably 5’8″ and then there was this QB from Boston College who was 5’10” or so …
It’s the game in the player; not his height that is important.
#59 no, sorry. San Diego beat San Jose and Nevada beat UNLV. We were out of the picture.
#60: it’s the coaching that those underrated players received that help them maximize their potential within the context of the offensive system that they were running. kellen moore probably wouldn’t have been kellen moore without chris petersen and his staff. colt brennan may not have even gotten a chance without june jones. timmy chang may have spent his entire college career as a backup at Cal.
who here thinks that after three seasons, chow has the chops to develop any kind of competent quarterback and offensive play at UH?
#63 to answer your question. YES. Imua Na Koa Anuenue.
As many are saying, will Chow be around? I dont think so after 2015 ticket renewals. Only way is if he wins 7 games. What do u guys think? Can or no can.
Florida State, Alabama, and Oregon are in. Which team should the selection committee pick as the fourth team?
I pick Baylor over TCU and Ohio State.
Baylor beat TCU during the regular season and has a better record than Ohio State against top 20 teams.
I would also think that the Boise coach would be a good fit for Oregon State.
Re-UH football post season awards banquet-Harding should take down the trio of awards…Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Player and Most Inspirational.
McKenzie will be great in the right offense. The spread offenses run by Rice and Utah State (remember that Utah State freshman QB?) or even a version of the spreads run by Arizona or Oregon would be better than a pure pro type offense.
d1/boo: Check this out. He later claims it was a joke. Come On Man!
EXTRA MUSTARD
Division III coach blames Eagles’ Chip Kelly for loss in national quarterfinal
BY EXTRA MUSTARD
Posted: Sat Dec. 6, 2014 11:30PM
More
Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
In a Division III national quarterfinal game on Saturday, Linfield College (Ore.) demolished Widener University (Penn.) 45-7.
Afterward, Widener coach Mike Kelly expressed a bone to pick with Eagles coach Chip Kelly. Turns out Kelly allowed Linfield to practice at the NovaCare Complex, the Eagles’ practice facility, during the week.
Kelly, who coached the Oregon Ducks from 2009-12, also visited Linfield’s practice there on Friday with Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, a former Oregon quarterback.
No love, apparently, was given to Widener, which is about a 15-minute drive away from the NovaCare Complex.
Turns out Kelly didn’t appreciate Kelly’s gesture. Or he felt neglected as an in-state, small-school coach. Probably both.
From Philly.com:
“Make sure you put in the paper that we thank Chip Kelly and I hope the Seahawks do well tomorrow,” Widener coach Mike Kelly said. “He was helping them out. Maybe somebody in Philadelphia ought to buy him a map so he knows where he lives now. But, go Seahawks.”
The Eagles (9-3), as Kelly indicated, host the Seahawks (8-4) on Sunday. The whole thing is kind of silly. Kelly wasn’t able to give any advice.
“Well, he really couldn’t,” Smith said, “because of the rules that they have with the NFL. He wasn’t able to come out and talk to the team. He wanted to. He thought about coming to the game today. He might have slipped in. You never know. He’s pretty sneaky with that. But he’s a great coach and we couldn’t have been happier to have him out there.”
D1and 3prong, some folks just like their milk sour……
My take on Chow. Coach Chow’s 3 years has been interesting. First season, he started out late, but by his own choice. He wanted to stay with Utah till their bowl game, so he got on board 1st week of January to assemble a staff. Much too late, but blame UHAD for agreeing to allow him to get on board late. First season it was the D-line that suffered multiple player injuries to account for huge rushing yards by our opponents, plus QB play by Schroeder sucked. Okay 2nd year, Schroeder takes over from 3rd game and passes lights out, but the secondary was really bad as opponents scored on long passes and often. 1-11 season. Chow focuses on recruiting corners and safeties. Third season with new D-Coordinator Clune, defense improves, but QB play really bad 1st half of season, but Ikaika shows improvement. QB situation good for next season. Coach Chow seems to be getting the hang of being a head coach. He needs to rebuild the D-line but has trouble recruiting interior D-line players. Not just this year, but since his first year. Outlook for next season? I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop, but the focus had turned to the AD. Seems we need a change in leadership at the top. Chow stays. He has a lot of rebuilding to do. Probably another losing season.
#70 … hatakeman .. After 2013’s record, it’s nice that Chow was able to pull together a 4 Win-9 Loss record in 2014. The 3 Mountain West Conference wins were against San Jose State (2W-6L), UNLV (1W-7L), and Wyoming (2W&6L). The 5 Mountain West Conference losses were against San Diego State (5W-3L), Fresno State (5W-3L), Nevada (4W-4L), Colorado State (6W-2L), and Utah State (6W-2L). The conference teams that UH won against had a 5W-19L total record in conference play. The conference teams that UH lost to had a 26W-14L total record in conference play. Chow’s offense couldn’t even score a touchdown in the loss to Colorado (2W-10L) in 2014; granted, a lot of Colorado’s losses were close, so it can be argued that they are not as bad as their record (which is why I am guessing a loss against them in 2015).
Considering the loss of the seniors this year, and the coaching improvements you noted, IMO we will be about the same next year. So barring anything radical like the addition of an OC, and/or additional experienced offensive coaching staff, IMO we can expect about the same for 2015. 5 wins against the struggling teams; 3 wins in conference.
Team (2014 Win-Loss): Location – 2015 Prediction
San Diego State (5W-3L): Home – Loss
Fresno State (5W-3L): Home – Loss
Nevada (4W-4L): Away – Loss
San Jose State (2W-6L): Home – Win
UNLV (1W-7L): Away – Win
Boise State (7W-1L): Away – Loss
Air Force (5W-3L): Home – Loss
New Mexico (2W-6L): Away – Win
Colorado 2W-10L (6th of 6 in PAC12-South): Home – Loss
Ohio State 11W-1L (1st of 7 in Big 10-East): Away – Loss
UC Davis 2W-9L (13th of 13 in Big Sky Div 1-AA): Home – Win
Wisconsin 10W-2L (1st of 7 in Big 10-West): Away – Loss
Louisiana-Monroe 4W-8L (7th of 11 in Sun Belt): Home – Win
63CVA while you make a valid point, one would be remiss as to not mention the talented supporting casts that those squads had on both sides of the ball. Many of those folks went on to play on Sundays…
The current squads, most would agree, god bless them, have rather marginal talent…most glaring is speed at receiver and just really spotty play at corner.
I would think there is a nice payout for the Ohio State and Wisconsin games. Also, the travel expenses paid for UC Davis to come to Hawaii should be a lot less than what it was for Northern Iowa.
However, the savings might be negated by lower attendance figures expected next season, unless there the biggest turnaround in FBS history happens.
In 2012 and 2013, I was too optimistic about the program. This year I turned out to be on at 4 wins, but early in the season, I thought there was an outside chance for 5 or even 6 wins if we could win some upsets– especially as the teams in our division struggled this season. I started to follow the analysis and the forecasts from the ESPN and other computer models which are getting very good at forecasting. The computer model was spot on at 4 wins and picking almost every one of our games. It was also a good source of simple analysis of our offense, defense, and special teams adjusted to our opponents. I am not going to think about next season for awhile.
#73 … shoko … While the money is nice for the accountant book, without a Home=Away deal to boost Aloha stadium attendance, it seems to me that the wear and tear on the team is going to cost us more in the long run. That said, looking at the UH Athletics website, the schedules through 2019 indicate the UH leadership has also been setting up good (IMO) Home-Away deals.
2015: Home: Colorado, UC Davis, Louisiana-Monroe
2015: Away: Ohio State, Wisconsin
2016: Home: Massachusetts (Colorado’s other 2014 win)
2016: Away: Michigan, Kansas
2017: Home: Kansas, BYU
2017: Away: UCLA, Massachusetts
2018: Home: Navy
2018: Away: Army, BYU
2019: Home: Arizona, Oregon State, Army
2019: Away: Washington
Sunday’s post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=26505