Milton Knox, on transferring to Fresno State
On having the opportunity at Fresno State, after Ryan Mathews was drafted in the first round:
"That says it all right there. They are known for running the ball. I haven't been able to have opportunities like that at UCLA; why not go to a place that has led the nation in rushing? This is a perfect fit for me. They run basically everything - I formation, out of the spread - and they feature their backs a lot."
On his decision to transfer:
"I really didn't talk to coach Neuheisel or the coaches. I had a feeling, a gut feeling, that if I stayed there, I wasn't going to get the opportunity. That's what it is - I didn't really go up and ask them what was the deal. I kind of looked at the situation and looked ahead at everything."
On why he's excited to play for Fresno State:
"Fresno State has a huge chip on their shoulder, and I have a huge chip on my shoulder. Some people don't believe in me. Fresno State has been able to beat BCS schools - it's disrespectful they weren't picked for the Pac-10 when they beat schools on the West Coast. They are respected, but also they're disrespected. I feel the same, me against the world. It's the best fit."
On his top choices:
"I really wanted to go to Utah, but they just didn't have any scholarships open. I would love to play against a lot of my friends in the Pac-10. But Fresno State is great. I talked to my friends, and it's a win-win situation, no matter what."
On staying close to home because of the poor health of some immediate family members:
"That really wasn't part of the deal, staying close because of that. It's nice to have, but I'm going to have to leave home. I didn't want to go somewhere in the Northwest or Indiana, too far. It's nice to have. I can always go home, see my friends and family."
He didn't talk to the coaches about it??
best of luck milton. hope you have a great future.
mark it down...he will be a stud at Fresno.
Good luck Milton.
Just like Antwon Moutra, when you don't play much for a team with a suspect offense, you're better off looking elsewhere. Gook luck, Milton.
Better to remain silent and be thought immature, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
"Fresno State has been able to beat BCS schools - it's disrespectful they weren't picked for the Pac-10 when they beat schools on the West Coast."
Son, you're entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts. Fresno St. is a level 2 regional overachiever, which does not mean there is the ability to consistently play with the BCS big dogs (west coast or not). In the last decade Fresno State has lost more games to BCS conferebne treams than has won.
"I really wanted to go to Utah, but they just didn't have any scholarships open."
If read by your future teammates, do you think they want to support someone who has just left a team he couldn't make, then say Fresno was not his first choice?
Son, you just exemplified the favorite word of your generation --- disrespect!
Some simple advice --- if you want to find any kind of success in this stop in your football career, shut up and show up on the practice field (which you obviously couldn't do in Westwood) and prove you are mature enough to perform to your alleged ability.
Ya just never know. I had high hopes for him coming out of high school but we don't get to see what the coaches see at practice or on the endless rewinds of game films. Who knows what was going on. But one thing you can be sure of he wasn't lost in the shuffle, mis-used, dis-used or forgotten about. He had his shot and for whatever reason, didn't stick with the ones. Sometimes it's just a numbers game and with Milton we can just leave it at that. His comments tell me he's got some growing up to do. I wish him the best of luck.
what does it tell you if Utah didn't have a spot for him?
Yeah, an injured starter, two seniors and a juco transfer with three years remaining. Hmmm.
No big loss just a 3 star recruit.
No big loss just a 3 star recruit.
"No big loss just a 3 star recruit."
Exactly. UCLA will easily fill his spot with a litany of 2-star recruits.
@Stu
You must be inside the kids head. He had Fresno as 2nd choice, huh? Fascinating that you know this. Or maybe you knew that Fresno was in the hunt from the get go? And that they weren't Johnny-Come-Lately with an offer.
If you knew all this... well... I'll shut up.
@ Stu again
sorry, my response was to...
'The Words Of A Child'.
Not you, Stu.
great choice milton unlike some people think u did show up when u had your chances but you didnt get it because u weren the back they were looking 4 they want big back but your going to be a hell of a back at fresno state show why you were a top back coming out of hs let the haters hate brush your shoulder off
Words of a Child. Regarding Level 2 overachiever. I think Fresno State has faired well against UCLA as of late. FSU 17-9 (2003) and FSU 36-31 (2008). So I'm not exactly sure what point your trying to make? Does that mean you feel that the Bruins are Level 1 bottom feeders? I'm confused,. As for Milton not being able to perform in Westwood... is it possible that the program itself failed him? What he does know is that Fresno State will have at least three national televised games this year on ESPN alone. UCLA will have none, once again. Not bad for a Level 2 overachiever. The games on ESPN will be against Cincinnati, Boise State, Ole Miss and in negotiations with ESPN is also the Illinois game. FOX Sports will televise the Nevada and Louisiana Tech games. Second, Milton is really not guaranteed playing time on the FSU roster. Their loaded at the position again. In regards to losing more BCS games than won. Not recently especially under Coach Hill. Stay relevant. Of course if grades were an issue at UCLA they won't be at Fresno State. 6 Academic All-Americans on last year's team. The highest percentage of athletes actually leaving with degrees. While most Bruins are off applying for food stamps the Dogs' are applying themselves in the classroom.
The Bulldogs at this point have more to offer UCLA than vice-versa. There was a day when we would grovel at the chance to play the Bruins. But considering the quality of non-conference teams we now schedule, the Bruins just don't command that kind of desire anymore. The Bruin PR constantly advertises in the Fresno papers discounted tickets to come down and catch a Bruin game, against FSU or not. We travel with 40,000 fans, so we don't blame them. Just don't get too delusional in where the Bruin program sits. Their certainly not at FSU's level. We have a better schedule with National televised games, we have better talent, we have money to spend on purchasing tickets on away games and plenty of Red Wavers to fill those seats. We have an identity that is recognized throughout this Country, "anybody, anytime, anywhere." We have Academic All-Americans and more Bulldogs playing on Sunday than the Bruins. So Milton has made a decision to upgrade his chances of playing at the next level. I don't blame him and neither should you.