Former UCF QB McKenzie Milton has been fully cleared to play football immediately

Former UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton has been cleared by his surgeon to play football immediately, the Orlando Sentinel first reported.

Milton’s mother, Teresa, told the Orlando Sentinel the nature of her son’s latest evaluation this week by Dr. Bruce Levy at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

“The exact words were, ‘If you had a game today you could play,’” Teresa Milton told the Orlando Sentinel. “[Levy] said he has never had a patient with all these injuries recover like this — especially an athlete.”

Teresa shared updates from McKenzie’s evaluation on her personal Facebook account Wednesday, showing videos of the new FSU quarterback engaging in leg exercises and physical therapy.

One post stated: “He is cleared for take off! Thank you for every prayer and well wish!”

Another read: “You may not know what this all means ….But I do and our son has beat the odds with amazing Dr’s, trainers, prayers, PT’s and hard work. Mayo Clinic, the fans and prayer warriors Mahalo!”

McKenzie Milton, a long ways from the devastating knee injury he suffered in November 2018, said in May there was a 50-50 chance he would play football in the fall. In October, he said he was “really close” to being cleared.

Now he’s at about 90% and “could play tomorrow” if he had to, he said during his first FSU media availability last week.

He was notorious for saying throughout his recovery that he wants to be at 100% before getting back on the field. His most recent reprise came on Nov. 27 following speculation that he would make his return to action during the UCF-USF Black Friday matchup in Tampa.

“I haven’t suited up all year and I don’t see the point in going out there today for sentimental reasons,” Milton told ESPN before the game. “For me, I don’t want to go out there until 100% and playing at a high level. So there’s no rush for me to get back out there on the field. That’s been the basis of me suiting up all year — am I 100% and right now I’m not.”

Now a Seminole, Milton said he’s ready to “make the most of” his final year of college football eligibility.

“I’m just trying to live in the moment and enjoy this one year at Florida State. And make the most of it. When I look back on it, I don’t want to have regrets,” Milton told reporters last week. “I just want to be where my feet are and be present in this moment and enjoy this time with these new coaches, these new teammates, and this new support staff.”

Daniella Medina is a contributing writer for Black & Gold Banneret. Follow her on Twitter @danimedinanews.