Joe Milton III Bio
Joseph Jay Milton III is an American professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 236 pounds, he is recognized for his powerful arm and mobility as a dual-threat passer. Milton played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the Tennessee Volunteers before being selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
After one season in New England, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025, where he serves in a backup role. He wears jersey number 10 and remains on an active roster as a developing professional quarterback.
Early Life and Background
Joseph Jay Milton III was born on March 6, 2000, in Pahokee, Florida. Pahokee is a small community located in the eastern part of Palm Beach County, an area known for producing several notable professional football players. Growing up in the state of Florida, Milton was surrounded by a strong football culture from an early age.
Milton attended Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida, where he developed as a high school quarterback prospect. His size, arm strength, and athleticism drew attention from college programs across the country. During his recruitment, he committed to the University of Michigan to play college football, choosing the Wolverines over several other interested programs.
Beyond football, Milton comes from a family with deep ties to the sport. His cousin, Anquan Boldin, played in the NFL from 2003 to 2016 and won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens. This family connection to professional football helped shape Milton’s early understanding of the game and the work required to reach the highest level.
Path to American Football
Milton’s path to professional American football began at Olympia High School, where he earned recognition as a top quarterback recruit. His combination of height, arm strength, and mobility made him a priority target for college scouts. He committed to the University of Michigan, joining a program with a rich history of producing NFL quarterbacks.
At Michigan, Milton spent his first two seasons as a backup to starter Shea Patterson, appearing in eight games and gaining limited but valuable experience. After competing for the starting role in 2020, he started three games before the shortened COVID-19 season led to a gradual reduction in playing time in favor of Cade McNamara. Following the 2020 season, Milton made the decision to transfer, choosing the University of Tennessee to continue his college career.
At Tennessee, Milton was named the starting quarterback entering the 2021 season, but an early injury shifted the starting duties to Hendon Hooker. After serving in a backup role, Milton became the full-time starter late in 2022 following Hooker’s injury, leading the Volunteers to a victory in the Orange Bowl and earning MVP honors. His college journey ended after the 2023 season, when he declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
Joe Milton III Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Milton began his college career at the University of Michigan in 2018. He spent his first two seasons in Ann Arbor serving as the backup quarterback behind starter Shea Patterson. During that span, he appeared in eight games and completed 6 of 11 passes for 117 yards, one passing touchdown, and two interceptions, while also adding two rushing touchdowns. His development was steady, though his playing time remained limited.
In 2020, Milton competed with Dylan McCaffrey to become Michigan’s starter, and was considered the favorite after McCaffrey’s decision to transfer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan’s season was shortened to six games, and Milton started the first three contests before gradually losing playing time to Cade McNamara. He finished the season with 1,077 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and 109 rushing yards with one rushing touchdown, as Michigan posted a 2-4 record.
Tennessee Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Following his transfer to the University of Tennessee, Milton was named the Volunteers’ starting quarterback heading into the 2021 season. During the second game of the year against Pittsburgh, he suffered an injury that opened the door for Hendon Hooker to take over the starting role. Milton appeared in a relief capacity in six games that season, including a performance against the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in which he recorded a passing touchdown.
In 2022, Milton played the backup role for most of the season while Hooker served as the primary starter for an 11-2 Volunteers squad. When Hooker suffered a season-ending ACL injury on November 19 against South Carolina, Milton stepped in as the starter. He earned his first start of the season against Vanderbilt, passing for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 56-0 victory. Milton then led Tennessee to a 31-14 win over seventh-ranked Clemson in the Orange Bowl, passing for 251 yards and three touchdowns en route to MVP honors.
Milton began the 2023 season as Tennessee’s starting quarterback. He delivered a 49-13 win over Virginia with two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, and later recorded an 81-yard rushing touchdown against UTSA, the longest rushing play by a quarterback in Tennessee program history. After a regular season that included a 48-24 win over Vanderbilt with 383 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, he finished his college career with an 8-4 record as a starter, choosing to opt out of Tennessee’s bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2025–Present)
On April 3, 2025, the New England Patriots traded Milton to the Dallas Cowboys along with a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick. The move gave Milton a fresh opportunity in a new organization. He joined a quarterback room led by starter Dak Prescott and transitioned into a backup role.
During the 2025 season, Milton appeared in four games in relief and special packages. He passed for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions while continuing to adjust to the Cowboys’ offensive system. His limited action provided him with valuable NFL experience as he developed under the team’s coaching staff.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milton is known for his combination of size, arm strength, and mobility, which allows him to attack all areas of the field. His 6-foot-5 frame and strong lower body enable him to deliver passes from multiple platforms and absorb contact as a runner. Coaches have highlighted his willingness to learn and his continued growth in reading professional defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Milton’s career came in the 2022 Orange Bowl, where he earned MVP honors after leading Tennessee past seventh-ranked Clemson. His professional debut on January 5, 2025, against the Buffalo Bills, where he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, also stands out as a milestone moment in his young NFL career.
Joe Milton III Career Wins
Joe Milton III has recorded wins at both the collegiate and professional levels, with his most memorable victories coming during his time as Tennessee’s starting quarterback. His professional debut resulted in a 23-16 victory for the New England Patriots, a result that helped shift the team’s draft positioning.
Tennessee Highlights
As Tennessee’s starter, Milton led the Volunteers to a victory in the 2022 Orange Bowl, where he passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns against seventh-ranked Clemson to claim MVP honors. He also guided Tennessee to a 56-0 win over Vanderbilt in his first start of the 2022 season and closed the 2023 regular season with a 48-24 win over Vanderbilt, accounting for six touchdowns in that game.
Other Wins & Performances
Milton’s first career NFL action came on January 5, 2025, when he relieved an injured starter Drake Maye against the Buffalo Bills. He completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns as the Patriots earned a 23-16 victory. The performance marked a strong opening chapter to his professional career.
Joe Milton III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Milton comes from a family with deep ties to professional football. His cousin, Anquan Boldin, enjoyed a long NFL career from 2003 to 2016, earning three Pro Bowl selections and winning Super Bowl XLVII as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Boldin’s success at the highest level served as an example for Milton as he pursued his own football career.
Personal Life
Public details about Milton’s personal life remain limited. He was raised in Pahokee, Florida, and later attended school in Orlando, where he continued to develop as a quarterback. His focus on football has remained central to his public profile since entering the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Joe Milton III’s 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys has been centered on growth and adjustment within a new organization. Traded from the Patriots in April 2025, he joined a roster built around franchise quarterback Dak Prescott and entered the year as a developmental backup. In limited opportunities, he has worked to refine his timing within the Cowboys’ offensive system.
Milton appeared in four games during the season, passing for 183 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His snaps came primarily in relief and special packages, offering him the chance to acclimate to the speed and complexity of the NFL game. Each appearance has provided a learning opportunity, with coaches evaluating his progress as a long-term developmental project.
Looking ahead, Milton’s outlook with the Cowboys remains a work in progress. With continued reps in practice and experience in game situations, he is positioned to compete for a larger role in the seasons to come. His physical tools and prior starting experience at Tennessee give him a foundation to build upon as he matures as a professional quarterback.
