By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Jon Milner is proud of what he has accomplished as a football player at LaGrange College.

The junior offensive tackle was a key reason why the Panthers went 9-2 year ago, and he was recognized for his contributions by making the all-conference first team, and he was a third-team selection on the D3football.com All-South region team.

Then before this season, Milner was a second-team preseason selection on the D3football.com All-American team.

That’s heady stuff, and Milner is appreciative of the reconition.

“The first thing I thought was, why me,” Milner said. “I was really honored.”

Milner is just as proud of something he accomplished off the field.

After missing his second season at LaGrange College because he was academically ineligible, he has turned things around in the class room, and last fall he posted a 3.0 grade point average.

“I was really excited about that,” Milner said. “I’ve turned (my academics) around now. That’s No. 1 now.”

Milner’s return in 2008 was a timely one.

After enduring back-to-back winless seasons in 2006 and 2007, the Panthers enjoyed the greatest turnaround in NCAA Division III history.

Milner had plenty to do with the Panthers’ reversal of fortunes.

It took him awhile to get his football legs back, he missed parts of the first three games with cramps, but once he settled in he was a key part of a drastically improved offensive line.

That experienced line helped the Panthers average 40 points and more than 400 yards per game.

“On the field, he has that mentality that he’s going to block you, and he plays the offensive line really physical, and that’s what we need,” LaGrange College head coach Todd Mooney said.

All of the offensive linemen are veterans of the program.

During last week’s season opener against Birmingham Southern, junior tackle Matt Hyde, senior guard Chris Bender, junior guard Ryan Bass and junior center Ben Crumbley started alongside Milner.

Starting tight end Tripp Duke has also been in the program for years.

Other guys like senior TaDarrius Clinton and senior Tavaris Douglas provide veteran depth on the line, and a number of younger players are waiting in the wings.

Mooney figures he has at least 10 offensive lineman who can get the job done if called upon.

Milner is a guy who, unless he’s injured, will be in there every Saturday.

Milner came to LaGrange College from Brookwood High, and he started all 10 games during his freshman season.

The Panthers were counting on Milner to be an anchor on the line in 2007, but that didn’t happen.

“I had way too much fun my freshman year,” he said.

Not playing hurt, and Milner felt he let his team down.

“I was very disappointed in myself, and I know my teammates were disappointed in me,” Milner said. “But there wasn’t one time when I felt like I wasn’t part of the team.”

Looking back, Milner figures taking a season off to focus on academics “wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.”

He was back for the season opener in 2008 against Birmingham Southern, although he wasn’t on the field for the dramatic final touchdown drive that gave the Panthers their first ever win.

“Last year, I was in probably the worst shape of my life,” Milner said. “The first three games, I got cramps at halftime and I wasn’t able to play in the second half. I was super-excited to be back on the field, it just took ahwile to get re-acclimated. It was difficult coming back.”

Milner went on to have a superb season, thus the postseason honors, and he is looking forward to a big junior season.

The Panthers opened the season with a 30-27 win over Birmingham Southern on Saturday at Callaway Stadium.

Milner knows his position isn’t one people notice too often, unless he gets called for a penalty.

But he said his teammates appreciate what the linemen do, and running back Mario Wallace, quarterback Drew Carter, and all of the offensive skill guys always go out of their way to offer a pat on the back.

“If Mario’s in the end zone, that means we’ve done our job, and we’re going to get a pat on the back,” Milner said. “Mario, Drew, (receiver Stephen) Tuck, (receiver Nick) Langley, they tell us thanks, and all that.”