During the first day of UCF spring football workouts Monday, the graduate transfer quarterback donned a red practice jersey featuring the No.

While McKenzie Milton should have been on the field Monday preparing for his third season as the Knights’ starter, he instead found himself watching practice from the sidelines.

Milton wore a heavy brace on his right leg and leaned on crutches, hobbling forward whenever possible to chat with the quarterbacks.

Milton is still recovering from a devastating knee injury he suffered during UCF’s regular-season finale against USF in Tampa on Nov. 23.

“I like that they’re pushing within themselves really hard, they’re competing with the guy next to them, but their coaching each other up in a really positive way and that energy the way that they relate to one another is important for the rest of the team to see,” Heupel said.

Wimbush said Milton’s injury obviously played a role in his decision to transfer to UCF, but he knew he still would have to compete for the Starting job.