Dax Milne Bio
Dax Milne (born June 23, 1999) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League. He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Across his career, Milne appeared in regular-season games for Washington and spent time on practice squads with the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 200 pounds, Milne was known for his reliable hands and special-teams work as a returner. Although he was not a full-time starter, he carved out a role as a depth receiver and a contributor on coverage units. In April 2026, Milne announced his retirement from professional football.
Early Life and Background
Dax Milne was born on June 23, 1999, in South Jordan, Utah, in the United States. He grew up in South Jordan and attended Bingham High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. At Bingham, he played both basketball and football, developing the footwork and competitive habits that would later support his transition to the next level.
As a senior, Milne was named second-team 6A All-State by the Salt Lake Tribune after catching 23 passes for 408 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a member of three state championship teams in football and two in basketball, a record that reflected the winning culture of his high school program. After graduating, Milne opted to play college football at BYU as a preferred walk-on, choosing the Cougars over scholarship offers from Southern Utah and Weber State.
Path to American Football
Milne’s path to professional football began on the practice fields of BYU, where he arrived without an athletic scholarship. He played in 10 games with three starts during his freshman season, finishing the year with 69 receiving yards and one touchdown on 10 receptions. His early production earned him a scholarship just three weeks into his freshman year, a sign of how quickly he had impressed the BYU coaching staff.
As a sophomore, Milne caught 21 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns, showing steady growth as a possession receiver. His breakout came during his junior season, when he posted 70 catches for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns, numbers that placed him among the most productive pass-catchers in the conference. That season also made him a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top college football player who began his career as a walk-on. Following the campaign, Milne chose to forgo his senior season and declared for the 2021 NFL draft.
Dax Milne Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Milne’s competitive career began at Bingham High School, where he contributed to three state championship football teams and two state championship basketball teams. His senior football season, in which he caught 23 passes for eight touchdowns, established him as a regional prospect. The decision to walk on at BYU rather than accept smaller scholarship offers set the tone for a career built on patience and steady development.
At BYU, Milne progressed from a walk-on to a scholarship player within his first month on campus, and by his junior year he had become one of the Cougars’ top receiving threats. His 1,188-yard junior season and Burlsworth Trophy finalist recognition were the cornerstones of his pre-professional resume. That body of work convinced NFL scouts that Milne had the tools to compete at the next level, even as a late-round prospect.
Washington Football Team / Commanders (2021–2023)
Milne was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round, 258th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and joined a wide receiver room that featured several established veterans. In his first two seasons, Milne worked primarily as a depth receiver and special-teams contributor, including a role as a returner.
Milne scored his first career touchdown in 2022, a milestone that confirmed his playmaking ability on offense. His 2023 season was interrupted on September 8, when he was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. The team released him on July 31, 2024, ending his original four-year deal with the organization.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
After his release from Washington, Milne signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on August 6, 2024, looking to earn a roster spot heading into the regular season. His time in Las Vegas was brief. The Raiders waived him on August 27, 2024, during the final stages of training camp and the preseason.
Carolina Panthers (2024–2025)
On October 30, 2024, the Carolina Panthers signed Milne to their practice squad, giving him a chance to continue developing within the organization. He was released on December 10, 2024, before being re-signed to the practice squad on December 18. On January 6, 2025, Milne signed a reserve/future contract with Carolina, securing his place on the offseason roster. The Panthers released him on May 8, 2025, and later in 2025 he worked out for the Denver Broncos.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milne’s playing style centered on precise route running, dependable hands, and the toughness to work the middle of the field. He was effective on possession routes and used his basketball background to track the ball in traffic. On special teams, his willingness as a returner gave his teams an additional dimension.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Milne’s career came in 2022, when he scored his first career NFL touchdown for the Washington Football Team. He also finished his BYU career as a Burlsworth Trophy finalist, an award given to the top walk-on-turned-star in college football. His late-round draft selection and four-year stay in the league stand as a testament to his work ethic.
Dax Milne Career Wins
As a wide receiver, Milne’s production is measured in receptions, yards, and touchdowns rather than race wins. Across his NFL career, he recorded 15 receptions for 120 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, while adding 611 return yards on special teams. Those totals reflect a depth-and-special-teams role rather than a featured offensive weapon.
Team Highlights
With the Washington Football Team, Milne’s most notable offensive contribution was his first career touchdown in 2022. He served as a depth receiver and returner from 2021 through 2023, with his 2023 campaign cut short by a groin injury. His stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers came primarily on practice squads, where he continued to develop and remain ready for an active roster opportunity.
Other Performances
At the high school level, Milne was part of three state championship football teams at Bingham High School, plus two state championship basketball teams. In college, his junior-year totals of 70 receptions for 1,188 yards and eight touchdowns highlighted his peak performance as a Cougar. His Burlsworth Trophy finalist nod that same year remains a signature individual honor.
Dax Milne Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Milne’s father, Darren Milne, played college baseball at BYU and later played Minor League Baseball within the Detroit Tigers organization. That athletic pedigree helped shape Dax’s competitive outlook from a young age. Growing up around a parent who had reached professional sports clearly informed his own decision to pursue football at the highest level.
Personal Life
Milne has been close friends with New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson since childhood, a relationship that continued when both played together at BYU. The two former Cougars teammates have spoken publicly about their long-running bond. Details about Milne’s current residence, marital status, or children are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Milne entered 2025 on a reserve/future contract with the Carolina Panthers, having signed the deal in January of that year. That agreement kept him on the team’s offseason roster and gave him an opportunity to compete for a larger role under the Panthers’ coaching staff. His time in Carolina ultimately ended when the Panthers released him on May 8, 2025.
Following his release, Milne continued to pursue NFL opportunities, including a workout with the Denver Broncos later in 2025. The season represented a transitional period, as he moved between practice-squad stints and free-agent workouts while seeking a stable roster spot. Despite the movement, his special-teams background and receiving experience kept him in consideration for depth roles.
On April 6, 2026, Milne announced his retirement from professional football, bringing a close to a career that began as a walk-on at BYU and ended with NFL experience across three organizations. His path from preferred walk-on to NFL draft pick to multi-team veteran serves as the defining storyline of his 2025 outlook and final chapter.