IFL Bay Area Panthers

Former Western Carolina Defensive Lineman K.J. Milner Signs with Bay Area

Published on February 27, 2024 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


Former Western Carolina defensive lineman K.J. Milner is grateful for second chances and looks to jump-start his career after signing with the Bay Area Panthers.

"K.J. is a physical specimen with a rare size, speed combination," said Bay Area Head Coach Rob Keefe. He is physically tough, highly disruptive and can collapse the corner with ease as he creates pressure."

Milner earned First-Team All-Southern Conference honors as a senior in 2022 despite playing the last half of the season with a torn meniscus.

"How am I going to make the best out of this season if this is what I want to do?" said Milner. "As a leader of the team, I was trying to keep everybody dialed in and still made all-conference at the end of the season. I played through the injury and showed what kind of strength I have. I'm built differently."

In his final season with the Catamounts, Milner led the team in sacks and tackles for loss. He set the tone while compensating for the loss of speed with his strength and technique.

After his career at Western Carolina, Milner was invited to rookie minicamp with the Baltimore Ravens and has continued to fine-tune his body before getting the call from Keefe to join the Panthers.

"I know they already have a good defense as the defending champions. I just want to make an impact with my ability to get to the quarterback," said Milner.

Milner heads to the West Coast with confidence he'll be a factor as the Panthers look to defend their IFL title.

"I feel like I'm better than I was before the injury. My legs are stronger, and I've been getting back to being myself," said Milner.

Learning the IFL game and Keefe's system will be going back to school for Milner. At Western Carolina, he was named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll twice. The college success in the classroom was an extension of his commitment to the books in high school. He joined the National Honor Society his junior year and went on to have the highest GPA on the team.

"Education was a major thing in our household. Our family harped on that because football isn't going to last forever. We've got to have something to fall back on in the future," said Milner.

Both parents served in the military and discipline became an essential part of Milner's upbringing.

"They had some reinforcements in place to keep me straight, "said Milner. By the time I got to college, the habits were second nature at that point."

Milner will pursue a master's in physical therapy after his playing days are over. One of his role models is Cleveland Browns' star Myles Garrett.

"We sort of have a similar playing style and I like the way he conducts himself on and off the field. I admire how he approaches nutrition, how he trains and the little things he does to be a great player," said Milner.

The path to the next level starts in the Bay Area for Milner. The commitment to the craft will be on display at the start of training camp as Milner embraces the opportunity to be an IFL difference-maker.

"Everything happens for a reason. This is a part of my journey that took me to the Panthers and I'm ready to work," said Milner.

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Indoor Football League Stories from February 27, 2024


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