Kendall Milton Bio
Kendall Daniel Milton is an American professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was part of two College Football Playoff national championship teams in 2021 and 2022. Listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 230 lb (104 kg), Milton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals after a brief stop with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Born and raised in Clovis, California, Milton emerged as one of the most highly recruited running backs of his high school class before choosing the University of Georgia over several top programs. He now wears jersey No. 36 for the Cincinnati Bengals and continues to build his professional résumé after competing for two national titles in college.
Early Life and Background
Kendall Daniel Milton was born on February 10, 2002, in Clovis, California, in the United States. He grew up in the Central Valley community of Clovis and attended Buchanan High School, where he developed into one of the top running back prospects in the country. During his senior season at Buchanan, Milton totaled 1,514 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, establishing himself as a premier recruit.
Scouting services rated Milton as a five-star recruit early in his recruitment before eventually adjusting his rating to four stars after he committed to Georgia. He was listed as the number one running back in California, the seventh-best overall player in the state, and the 54th-best player nationally by 247Sports. Rivals also rated him as a five-star recruit and the 29th-best player in the country, while Milton chose the Georgia Bulldogs over powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas.
Path to American Football
Milton’s path to collegiate football started in the youth and high school ranks in Clovis, California, where his size and skill set made him a focal point of opposing defenses by his senior year. His production at Buchanan High School, highlighted by his 1,514-yard senior season, drew national recruiting attention and multiple scholarship offers from top college football programs.
His commitment to the University of Georgia in 2020 set him on a path to one of the most competitive running back rooms in college football. Even as a true freshman, Milton earned significant playing time early in games for the Bulldogs, signaling the coaching staff’s confidence in his ability to contribute immediately. That early trust from the program laid the foundation for his role on Georgia’s national championship squads.
Kendall Milton Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Milton arrived at the University of Georgia and quickly carved out a role as a true freshman, earning carries early in games despite facing stiff competition in the Bulldogs’ backfield. He finished his freshman campaign with 193 rushing yards on 35 attempts before suffering an injury against rival Florida that forced him to miss part of the season. He returned in the Peach Bowl, and despite the injury-shortened year, he earned All-American Freshman honors.
In his second season at Georgia, Milton’s production increased. He ran for 264 yards and one touchdown on 56 carries, continuing to develop as a physical, between-the-tackles runner. That season also ended with the Bulldogs winning the College Football Playoff national championship, giving Milton his first taste of a title.
Georgia Bulldogs Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season saw Milton take a major step forward before injury cut his year short. He ran for 592 yards and eight touchdowns, serving as a key piece of a Georgia offense that captured a second consecutive CFP national championship. A groin injury limited his late-season action, but he remained part of another title-winning roster.
Milton’s 2023 campaign served as his signature collegiate season. Against Georgia Tech, he rushed for a career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 31–23 victory. He then starred in the 2023 Orange Bowl, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries while being named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Georgia rolled Florida State 63–3, the largest margin of victory in any bowl game at the FBS level. He finished the year with 790 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, then declared for the 2024 NFL Draft on January 1, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2024–Present)
Milton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024, beginning his professional career. He was waived on August 27, 2024, before being signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad two days later on August 29, 2024. The Bengals promoted him to the active roster on November 2, 2024, before waiving him on November 15 and re-signing him to the practice squad on November 19.
The Bengals signed Milton to their active roster again on January 2, 2025, as he worked to establish himself at the NFL level. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Milton re-signed with the Bengals on February 20, 2026, continuing his tenure with the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Milton is a power-style running back whose listed frame at 6 ft 1 in and 230 lb allows him to absorb contact and finish runs between the tackles. At Georgia, he showed the ability to break off big runs in short order, including a 104-yard, two-touchdown performance on only nine carries in the 2023 Orange Bowl. His combination of vision, balance, and short-area burst has made him a reliable short-yardage and rotational option at the NFL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Milton is a two-time College Football Playoff national champion, having been part of Georgia’s back-to-back title runs in 2021 and 2022. He was named Most Valuable Player of the 2023 Orange Bowl after his dominant performance against Florida State. He also earned All-American Freshman recognition in his first season at Georgia, a sign of his early professional trajectory.
Kendall Milton Career Wins
Milton’s career win résumé is anchored by team championships rather than individual rushing titles. His two College Football Playoff national championship rings with the Georgia Bulldogs stand as his most prominent victories, complemented by signature individual wins such as the 2023 Orange Bowl MVP performance and the regular-season victory over rival Georgia Tech.
Georgia Bulldogs Highlights
During his time at the University of Georgia, Milton was part of CFP national championship teams in both 2021 and 2022, contributing as a rotational runner on both rosters. His 2023 Orange Bowl performance, in which he rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and was named the game’s MVP, served as the capstone of his collegiate career.
Other Wins and Performances
Milton also played a role in Georgia’s 31–23 victory over in-state rival Georgia Tech in 2023, rushing for a then career-high 156 yards and two touchdowns in the win. His performances in those rivalry and bowl settings helped establish his reputation as a big-game runner before he transitioned to the NFL.
Kendall Milton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Milton comes from a family with professional football ties. He is the nephew of former NFL linebacker Kevin Hardy, giving him a direct connection to the professional ranks through his extended family.
Personal Life
Milton grew up in Clovis, California, and has continued his football career in the United States. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
Milton’s 2025 campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals was defined by roster movement as he worked to cement a spot on the active roster. He was waived as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day, reflecting the team’s interest in keeping him within the organization.
Through Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season, Milton’s career rushing statistics showed limited regular-season production, with the bulk of his opportunity coming on the practice squad and in short active-roster stints. The Bengals’ continued use of the practice squad as a development tool suggested the organization viewed him as a developmental piece with upside.
Looking ahead, Milton re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on February 20, 2026, positioning himself for another offseason of development. His path back to a steady active-roster role will likely depend on his performance during training camp and his ability to translate his college physicality into consistent NFL production.
