Dr. Phillips’ Milano closes in on NFL spot
LAKE BUENA VISTA — Matt Milano’s trainer had it right on Tuesday morning when he said Milano didn’t have to be there.
But there he was at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports, running through sand pits, jumping over hurdles and whipping his arms into noodles with battle rope exercises.
“He’s a beast,” said Bert Whigham, a former professional football player from Sanford who works with Tom Shaw Training.
That’s what NFL scouts love about the former Dr. Phillips High star, who spent that past five years terrorizing ACC ball carriers as a linebacker at Boston College. Now he’s making preparations for a career in the NFL and he’s hoping to hear his name called this weekend during the league’s annual draft.
“Right now it hasn’t really kicked in yet, but I know that getting closer — Friday, Saturday — the days that I potentially can go, it will definitely start to kick in,” said Milano. “It’s been an exciting journey … to possibly see some results come out of that is very exciting.”
Milano’s draft stock has risen with NFL scouts because of his versatility in covering the pass. He can play either linebacker or safety, which makes him a key candidate for teams that like to employ nickel defensive back packages or teams that like to use the hybrid linebacker/safety combo.
That’s not all that stands out about Milano. The first thing most people notice about him is his work ethic. He’ll outwork anyone and that was evident at a recent New England Patriots workout, where he put others on site that day to shame.
“Every day I just come out with the same mentality that I’m just going to get better,” Milano said. “I’m never complacent with where I’m at, even if it’s the little things. There is always more to be worked on.”
He’s also fast and even though a sore hamstring kept him from posting 40-yard dash numbers at the NFL Combine, scouts know about his speed, which is consistently in the 4.5-second range in the 40.
Plus there are the intangibles. He’s known as a great person.
Coming out of Dr. Phillips, Milano was playing safety and wasn’t the most recruited player on his own team. The attention was on fellow safety and current Florida Gator Marcell Harris, a guy hoping to hear his own name at next year’s NFL Draft.
Milano has always had a quiet, workman-like approach, which maybe didn’t help sell his skills, but he’s never been interested in that. He’s let his work on the field speak for itself.
“That wasn’t really ever my thing. I was never really like a loud guy or anything,” Milano said. “I always just kind of stayed quiet, did my thing and continued to work.
“It was always my goal, to get to the NFL, but I was never loud with it.”
His move at Boston College to linebacker, which was put in motion by Don Brown, the former Boston College defensive coordinator who is now at Michigan, has been instrumental to his development.
“I was a little hesitant at first, I guess, because I wasn’t used to it and I came to play safety,” Milano said. “But I’m glad I made the change and I think it worked out for the better.”
His ability to play both positions has obviously improved his NFL stock, but what team officials love most about him is his ability to get to the football on special teams. A career on special teams can provide plenty of longevity — and plenty of paychecks — in the league. Milano will take whatever he can get.
“I’ve been hearing strong safety or Will linebacker, which is the same thing I had kinda been doing in college,” said Milano, who was named to the All-ACC first team by Pro Football Focus. “I think just the main thing is finding the right fit for me heading into the next level.
“I really don’t have any expectations. Wherever I go ... I go.”