Latest news with #WyattMilum
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars OG Wyatt Milum could throw heat. Now he's ready to be one of Trevor Lawrence's bodyguards
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie offensive guard Wyatt Milum was all set to play baseball when he was a sophomore at Spring Valley High School in Kenova, He was a left-handed pitcher with a live fastball, clocked once at 90 mph in a high school game. Advertisement 'I used to bring some heat back in the day,' Milum said after the Jaguars' second minicamp practice on June 11 at the Miller Electric Center. 'Shockingly, I played a little bit of outfield. 'But mostly pitcher and first base.' Yes, the sight of a 6-foot-6, 317-pounder patrolling the outfield might be quite the sight. But he was a baseball player first, for Spring Valley and during busy travel ball schedules in the summer. Before he became a two-way tackle in high school, he was on track to play college baseball and verbally committed to Marshall, near his hometown, after being offered a scholarship the summer between his eighth-grade and ninth-grade years. And until he was a junior at Spring Valley, Milum intended to honor that commitment for the Thundering Herd. But he also played football, kept growing and grew to love it more. Advertisement 'Baseball is something I always enjoyed,' he said. 'But through high school, more and more, I loved football.' And if the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp ever get Milum to throw out the first pitch, you can bet he'll be doing it from the mound. Wyatt Milum found his niche in football It appears Milum made the right career choice. He became one of the most highly recruited offensive linemen in the nation as a senior (Sports Illustrated rated him as the No. 1 tackle in the nation), and stayed within his home state to play for West Virginia. Milum started his last 42 games in a row for the Mountaineers at left tackle, did not allow a sack during his last two seasons and racked up one award after another: consensus All-American, Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, Outland Trophy semifinalist, All-Big 12 and All-Big 12 Academic team. Advertisement The knock on Milum of having shorter arms and not as much quickness as NFL teams might want from an offensive tackle didn't bode well for being a first-round pick and when he fell to the third round, the Jaguars traded up to grab him and made it clear from the start he'd be playing guard. He said the conversion is going well. Jacksonville Jaguars guard Wyatt Milum (64) drills with guard Sal Wormley (61) during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. 'It was a little much at the beginning,' he said of rookie minicamp and OTAs. 'But I feel like the way the coaches have explained it and done it over a period of time since I've been drafted ... they made it a smooth process. I feel like everything's been good.' Milum never questioned the move to guard, since it was the fastest track for playing time. Advertisement 'Wherever they want to put me, I'm willing, as long as it gets me on the field,' he said. 'If I'm succeeding, that's all that matters to me. Anywhere is good with me.' Wyatt Milum's promise Milum attracted some attention after being drafted when he vowed that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence wouldn't be touched. 'I'm going to make that promise to them [Jags fans] and I'm going to make that promise to Trevor,' he said. That's a bold statement and perhaps unrealistic. But Milum has a history of helping keep his quarterbacks upright. He never yielded a sack in high school and gave up only two over his final 36 games with the Mountaineers. Advertisement He's not walking it back either. 'That's our motto ... we don't want anyone touching the quarterback,' he said. 'I feel like that's our identity as our offensive line at this point.' Wyatt Milum prides himself on toughness Although evaluating offensive and defensive linemen is difficult until the team straps on the pads in training camp, Jaguars coach Liam Coen likes what he sees out of Milum. "He's a big dude ... the way the guy plays, the toughness," Coen said. "He's rooted in that. That's kind of what he prides himself on being, and that's what he is kind of known for around that building is being a guy that finishes, that plays the game the right way, that approaches it the right way.' Advertisement Milum said those roots were planted in the small town of Kenova and got deeper at West Virginia, where toughness is part of the culture. 'It's the way I grew up,' he said. 'It's the way I was raised to play the game. When you step on the field there's only one way to play and that's to play through the whistle. It's ingrained in me, especially being on the offensive line. You're supposed to set the tone of the whole offense.' This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars rookie guard Wyatt Milum isn't backing down on draft-day promise
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jaguars' Rookie Wyatt Milum Could Be Answer to Offensive Line Struggles
Jaguars' Rookie Wyatt Milum Could Be Answer to Offensive Line Struggles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Jacksonville Jaguars have an issue or two that needs worked out on the offensive side of the ball. Advertisement Last season, the Jaguars finished their season 25th in the NFL in yards per game offensively, managing just 306.2 yards per game offensively. A large part of the criticism for that has fallen on the team's offensive line, which might be why the team selected two players in the NFL Draft to join that position room. Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive lineman Wyatt Milum (74) prepares to block Texas Tech Red Raiders back Amier Washington (88) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn ImagesMichael C. Johnson-Imagn Images One of those players, former West Virginia Mountaineers offensive tackle Wyatt Milum, could end up being a big difference maker in the trenches for the Jaguars this season. "He's a big way the guy plays, the toughness," Jaguars' Head Coach Liam Coen said during the team's minicamp sessions. "He's rooted in that. That's kind of what he prides himself on being, and that's what he is kind of known for around that building is being a guy that finishes, that plays the game the right way, that approaches it the right way.' Advertisement Milum was a stud for the Mountaineers -- he started 43 games for WVU football over his four-year career, and his senior season saw him become the 14th player in program history to be named a Consensus All-American. He was also named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024. Milum is particularly adept at protecting his signal caller -- he allowed zero sacks over his final two collegiate seasons, and as a senior he also allowed zero quarterback hurries and only gave up seven quarterback pressures. That's good news for Jaguars' quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has struggled with injuries the past two seasons and is feeling pressure to have a big season. For Milum, the Jaguars' 32 sacks allowed in 2024 was about 32 too many. 'That's our don't want anyone touching the quarterback,' Milum said during minicamp. 'I feel like that's our identity as our offensive line at this point.' Despite his massive 6-foot-6 frame, the Kenova, native has been moved from tackle to guard by the Jaguars, with his shorter wingspan and quickness viewed as potential weaknesses at tackle. But Milum, who helped the Mountaineers average 210 rushing yards per game during his final two seasons with the program, has been receptive to the change. Advertisement 'Wherever they want to put me, I'm willing, as long as it gets me on the field,' he said. 'If I'm succeeding, that's all that matters to me. Anywhere is good with me.' Perhaps the easiest place to look to see Milum's potential entering his rookie season is in Pittsburgh -- Milum's former teammate Zach Frazier was selected by the Steelers on Day Two of the 2024 NFL Draft, and slid into the starting rotation as a rookie. By the end of the season, he had started 14 games, was named to the PFWA All-NFL Rookie Team, and was given the Joe Green Great Performance Award as the top rookie for the Steelers. If Milum can mimic his former teammate and fellow native West Virginian's efforts this season, it could be good news for the Jaguars. Related: Pressure Mounts on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence Ahead of Critical Season Related: Jaguars Drop Hint on How Travis Hunter Will Be Used This Season Related: Jaguars Dealt Concerning Trevor Lawrence Revelation Liam Coen Can't Fix This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 West Virginia Mountaineers win total predictions, futures, over/under and odds
2025 West Virginia Mountaineers win total predictions, futures, over/under and odds After the West Virginia Mountaineers came up shy of a victory in the Frisco Bowl in 2024, bookmakers have set their win total for this season at an over/under of 5.5 wins. The Mountaineers went 6-7 last season, and have +152 odds to hit the over on their win total in 2025. West Virginia futures: win total over/under, odds College football odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Sunday at 3:28 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Over/Under: 5.5 5.5 Over Payout: +152 +152 Under Payout: -188 West Virginia splits - last season West Virginia finished 6-7 last year and was bested by Memphis 42-37 in the Frisco Bowl As favorites the Mountaineers picked up only two wins (2-1). When underdogs they went 4-6. When favored by more than seven points, the Mountaineers put up a perfect 1-0 record last season. Meanwhile, they grabbed the win in only one of two games when favored by seven or fewer points. West Virginia total wins prediction West Virginia draft picks lost Wyatt Milum (89th Pick/Round 3/Jaguars) Watch College Football on Fubo!
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Contract details for Jacksonville Jaguars' third-round pick OL Wyatt Milum
Contract details for Jacksonville Jaguars' third-round pick OL Wyatt Milum Here is a look at the contract details for Jacksonville Jaguars' third-round draft pick OL Wyatt Milum. Prior to rookie minicamp, the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to contract terms with third-round draft pick, West Virginia offensive lineman Wyatt Milum. Over the Cap now has those contract details. When it comes to rookie deals, the rookie wage scale sets the parameters, based on where the player was drafted, that puts in place a ceiling and a floor for how much each draft pick can earn over their standard four-year contract. For a more detailed look at the rookie wage scale, click here. For Milum, who was the 89th overall pick, his total contract value over the four-year deal is $6.277 million and includes $1.205 million guaranteed as a signing bonus. From a cap perspective, that signing bonus amount will be prorated over the four years of the contract, in the form of a $301,328 cap hit each year. In Year 1, Milum will earn a base salary of $840,000. In Year 2, it increases to $1.075 million, followed by $1.361 million in Year 3, and $1.646 million in Year 4. Wyatt Milum's salary cap hits each year with Jacksonville Jaguars 2025: $1.141 million $1.141 million 2026: $1.426 million $1.426 million 2027: $1.711 million $1.711 million 2028: $1.997 million Milum is a very experienced college player with almost 3,000 career snaps. In this most recent season, he was one of the best run-blocking and pass-blocking left tackles in the game by PFF's metrics. With the Jaguars, Milum will play guard, where right away he will improve the depth and can potentially compete for playing time as well. "He's matched up with a lot of really high-caliber rushers over the course of his career, whether you go back to [New York Jets DE] Will McDonald or even at Kansas State with the rusher that went to Kansas City and then, yeah, and then Abdul [Penn State DE Abdul Carter] this past year," GM James Gladstone said via Jaguars on SI. "I mean, those were high-capacity rushers, and he showcased a really calm demeanor and poise in pass protection, but also a rough and rugged finish."
Dominion Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
Former WVU lineman Wyatt Milum adjusting to pros, finishes up rookie minicamp
MORGANTOWN — Wyatt Milum could be seen wearing No. 64 for the Jacksonville Jaguars instead of his No. 74 for the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday. Milum lined up in a three-point stance to the left of the center, blocked the coach for a second, who was in place of a defensive tackle, and then jumped off and drove through his teammate, who was in as a linebacker at the second level. Milum's gold and blue is now black, teal and gold. Life as a rookie comes at a player fast. Milum was selected in the third round by the Jaguars on April 25, and just weeks later, Milum is on-site, learning and being coached by the Jacksonville staff, taking his first step into the pros. Sunday marked the final day of rookie minicamp for Jacksonville. The three-day camp was crammed with information, new surroundings and new faces. Milum had to unpack and dissect it all. The information didn't overwhelm Milum. He's adjusting well. 'I'm sure it's going to be different once we get into training camp, but right now, you have the walk-through, and you're learning, and then you come out here, there's a little more tempo,' Milum told reporters Saturday. 'It's just the learning process right now. It ain't too bad right now.' Morgantown is just over 750 miles and four states from Jacksonville and far less mountainous. In the short amount of days Milum has been on site, he doesn't think there's much difference between his old and new location. 'The only thing that's different from West Virginia is there are a little bigger buildings and it's a little hotter here,' Milum said. 'Other than that, I'm good. I always took family vacations towards the Tampa area, so I like the state of Florida. I'm glad I came here.' The locations might not be too different, but there are differences on the field. Under Brown, Milum played in a tempo offense. Most offenses in college football run tempo where there is no huddle. In the NFL, it's more strategic with a huddle and more information pre-lineup. There's also more emphasis on cadence, which some college teams don't use. New York Giants rookie quarterback went through all of college at Ole Miss using just a clap before snapping the ball. The cadence is important for linemen. It's the linemen's indicator to get off the ball and attack the defensive player in front of them. Most false start penalties are from linemen jumping the cadence. 'We were more of a tempo team in college,' Milum said. 'We didn't huddle all the time. There were some games that we did. The cadence is a big thing. It's a lot different from what we used in college, and getting used to that. The huddle thing, in high school, I huddled. College is the only place I haven't huddled that much. The huddle is no problem, it's just the cadence.' Milum played in the Big 12 and saw future NFL stars in the making. He played in the same conference as Heisman Trophy winner and now teammate, Travis Hunter. But, Milum hasn't played alongside players he grew up watching until now. 'Just seeing Trevor [Lawrence] out here is awesome,' Milum said. 'I watched him when I was in high school growing up. Just seeing him in the locker room is surreal.' This is Lawrence's fifth year as the starting quarterback for the Jaguars, after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Milum's purpose is to protect Lawrence, who's been hit a lot in those four seasons. Lawrence is also coming off a season-ending concussion, so there hasn't been a more important time than ever to protect him. Milum knows why he was brought in, and why the Jaguars added five-plus linemen through the draft and free agency. 'You don't want no one touching the quarterback,' Milum said. 'I feel like that's the mindset here. That's why I love playing here already. Just the mindset that we have on this offensive line. We don't want anyone touching Trevor.' Milum learned the goals, coaches' names, and the ins and outs of the facilities. The basics. There'll be a lot more information placed on his shoulders at OTAs, which start at the end of May, and then more at mandatory minicamp on June 10. By summer training camp, Milum will be expected to have almost everything down, so he can make an impact when the season starts in early September. That's down the road a little way, and Milum's new head coach, Liam Coen, mentioned him as a player who stood out in camp, so Milum's off to a great start. Right now, Milum's enjoying being a Jaguar. 'Everyone that's come here loves the game of football,' Milum said. 'They have all come in here and worked the past couple of days. They brought energy. I'm just happy to be with all the rookies here. I'm just happy to be a part of them.'
