UCF quarterback optimistic about returning after recovering from severe leg injury

ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s been 536 days since University of Central Florida’s quarterback McKenzie Milton severely injured his right leg in a game against South Florida.

Throughout the recovery process, Milton has remained optimistic he will return to the football field.

“I'd say the toughest thing has been staying mentally strong throughout all this, just being patient throughout the whole process,” Milton said. “Breaking down scar tissue is extremely painful, but once you start seeing the progress and start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel it makes it all worth it.”

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The road to recovery for Milton continues at Wayne Densch Sports Center on UCF’s campus, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a ghost town.

He is one of only five players allowed inside the building for therapy.

The next step is a trip to Minnesota in June to see the doctors who reconstructed his knee.

It was one of 11 surgeries on his leg. Milton hopes doctors will clear him to restart training. Until now, his activity has been restricted to throwing with some of his teammates in Orlando.

“I want to approach my rehab every day with the idea that I'll be ready to go for fall camp, and I'll be ready to go for North Carolina in our first game,” Milton said.

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Until then, Milton is finding time between rehab and workouts to lift up those who helped lift him.

Milton and the rest of the Knights hope to be back on campus well before their scheduled opener on Sept. 4, their scheduled opener, but there’s been no official announcement on when students will be permitted to return.

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