Good news for Milton

With his college future coming closer, Mississippi State 2011 signee Derrick Milton has witnessed major progressions on two important fronts. The 5-foot-11 and 197-pound running back had minor knee surgery (sprained MCL) back in January and is already ahead of schedule.

"I am must finishing up school here at Hargrave and working out a lot," said Milton, who rushed for 731 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games last year at Hargrave. "I dropped a little weight when I had my surgery and I got down to 186 pounds at one time. But now I am back up to 197 and things are going well. I am able to work out with my knee and the doctors said I am about two months ahead of schedule. I am doing some running now and leg presses so I can't complain. I am also starting to do some cutting and planting so I am ahead of the game."

On the academic side of things, the Pineville, La., native is also showing major signs of progress.

"School is going good and I just have to finish out with all B's and I will be good to go," said Milton. "And I have two A's and three B's right now. I might take the ACT again just to make sure I have some breathing room. So I might go ahead and take the ACT again in April."

Over the past year, Milton has kept a close relationship with the Bulldogs and it was one of the main reasons he inked with MSU in February. That relationship has continued, naturally, since National Signing Day.

"I wanted to go watch them practice this spring," said Milton. "But I was home for just one weekend earlier this month and I could not make it up there because I was only home for a bit. But I talk to the coaches a lot. We mainly talk about my school work and they are excited about my progress with school and my rehab. Just hearing them getting excited about me getting there this summer, man, that just pushes me to work even harder. It motivates me a lot that they think so highly of me and I don't want to ever disappoint them."

And soon enough, Milton will be donning the Maroon and White, getting started in offseason workouts.

"I can't wait to get to the SEC," said Milton, who rushed for 1,880 yards and 14 touchowns as a junior at Pineville High School. "And no matter what year or classification you are, you have to work hard to earn a spot. That is what I want to do and I want to earn a spot on the field. My goals are always at the top and I don't like letting myself down and I want to contribute to the team this year.

"I tell you what, I am getting so anxious to be there and I talk about it every day. I have been talking to (fellow MSU signee) Zachary Jackson alot and we may room together. I also keep up with Joe Morrow from our class and we're all ready to go help the Bulldogs win big. It should be a fun season."