Albany High School (Albany, LA) QB Jake Milton is the guy leading the Hornets this season. While not the biggest quarterback standing at only 5’6, Milton shows that his football IQ and athleticism are more than enough to make up for his lack of size.
“I would say my biggest strengths are my ability to know the playbook and what everyone is doing on the field. Also, I’d say I can break down what a defense is doing pretty well and physically, I think I am mobile on the field and able to use my legs if needed.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Entering his senior year starting at quarterback, Milton’s goals are just to prove the doubters wrong.
“My goals are to change trying to prove others wrong and trying to prove to myself how good I am. Also, I want to be the best leader I can be for the team and do all I can in my power to bring wins and manage the game the way I am intended and coached to do. One more thing is I want to win a few playoff games or even the whole thing to show people that we are capable of it.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
In order to get a step ahead of the competition, Milton has worked hard this offseason to perfect his craft. He has worked out a lot, throws the football about 300 times a day in a net, and practices his footwork. He put a lot of those to the test by going to multiple Gridiron Football camps and seeing how he has held up against the rest of the competition. Milton has been impressive during 7v7s as well as 1v1s when throwing the football displaying accuracy and touch. He has also shown his athletic ability running a 4.7/40, a 4.49 shuttle, and a 9 foot broad jump.
“I loved the camps because it’s a great way to see how others play around you and see the differences between the ways you’ve been taught. It’s also great competition from other opponents that test your game, make you think more, and just focus on your part and improve from it. They also have great drills and things they put you through that are just a great way to stay consistent or improve footwork and different tools you need in your game. I think it’s helped me become a better player because it made me definitely more competitive wanting to show others my game and outdoing the players around me which has helped me implement that more into my own practices and games.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Milton has used what he has learned to get ready for the upcoming season.
“I would say I need to improve most on is staying consistent on focusing mainly on what I’m supposed to do at my position with the play called instead of making sure everyone else gets done what they are supposed to. Sometimes, I get so caught up in helping or lining people up, I don’t do the best at my job. Just my ability to be confident with throws and not second guess what my eyes tell me.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Playing with anticipating and having the ability to be confident throwing the ball are all qualities that Milton watches in another quarterback that proved doubters wrong because of his height.
“I do like to model my game after Drew Brees not just because I grew up watching and studying his game, but just his ability to make things happen when it gets hard. He is also a shorter quarterback which doesn’t make it any easier. He also is just a very smart quarterback that could see the field very well and very accurate with the ball. I may not be exactly like him, but I strive to make my game like his and learn from his style of play.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Like Brees, Milton has risen to this position the hard way and has impressed the coaches as well as his teammates by overcoming the odds and putting his head down while trusting in God.
“I am most proud of not giving up when everything gets hard and pushing myself through everything no matter what and learning God does everything for a reason, and I got to trust in him through everything because he’ll guide my paths toward success. Earning my spot at quarterback is big because I’ve been working towards it for a while now and finally was able to outperform others and prove I should play that position. The last thing is that I am a good leader to my team and they know they can go to for anything they face in football or life.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Getting the chance to play for a former college coach in Travis Mikel has been extremely helpful in his development and confidence as a quarterback.
“It has been an honor and blessing to be able to play for Coach Mikel and even better, be the quarterback for his football team. He is such a good coach helping us get prepared for tough challenges putting us through things as a team. He is a very smart coach as well and has lots of experience at the college level giving us more advanced techniques and plays to operate with and use. He is also just a great all-around friend to us and there for anything we need outside of football, and he has taught us how to become a man and deal with the challenges life will bring us later on in the future. He helps me be a better player and person too by just treating me in a respectful and supportive way and holding me accountable for my decisions I make on and off the field.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
Milton is excited to lead his team at this point of his playing career as he has played the game of football since he was seven years old.
“My favorite part about football is how much you learn from it whether it’s making you a man, preparing you for the future, or even you getting closer to Christ and learning the things you can accomplish with him in your life as the foundation. Also just getting closer to your brothers and getting close to people that you didn’t think you could. It’s even so fun to watch.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
While Milton takes the game of football seriously, it does not top his faith and his family.
“I want to thank my mom and Dad for being there for me throughout everything. They truly have taught me how to be a man, how to be respectful, take accountability for my actions, and just ultimately, being the best person, I can be. I also want to thank Coach Travis because without him, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten my shot at being the quarterback that I am today because all the coaches before him doubted me and talk down on me all because of my size and height and he didn’t. The person I want to thank the most is my Lord and savior Jesus Christ because without him, I would be nothing and I can make mistakes and do everything wrong, but he chose to die for me and forgive me for my wrongdoings. There’s so many things you learn in life through him and following him. I’m just so thankful I’m able to be where I am today and without all these people, I would be nothing.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton
With a 4.0 GPA, a great work ethic, a chip on his shoulder, and the ability to extend plays with his athletic ability and decision-making skills, Jake Milton has the ability to not only have a great season for the Hornets but play at the next level, especially at a small school as they would be lucky to have him.
“My message to college coaches is that no matter what you put in front of me, I will face it head on, give you my best, put my whole heart into it, and not give up until the job is done. I know I may be shorter than a lot of other quarterbacks or players, but I will play with full effort, give you everything I have, compete, be a leader, be very coachable, and I will push myself harder than any other player on the field. I fear God only and believe anything is possible with just a little bit of faith and belief. I will give everything I have to any colleges that choose to recruit me as a part of their family and team.”
Albany High School 2027 QB Jake Milton