MORGANTOWN — For Wyatt Milum, the highly regarded left tackle from West Virginia, Tuesday's Frisco Bowl encounter with Memphis holds a dual significance. It marks a bittersweet farewell to his college years at West Virginia, the school he loves and the state that has been his home. It also ushers in a new chapter as he embarks on a journey to the National Football League and the realization of his long-held dreams.

Hard Work and Dreams

Milum has played a crucial role in making this transition possible. His performance as an offensive lineman has been nearly impeccable. He has participated in 47 collegiate games for WVU, starting an impressive 43 of them. This amounts to a staggering 2,951 snaps, with him enduring the constant bumps and bruises that come with being an offensive lineman at a Power 5 institution. Remarkably, he has not allowed a single sack in 34 out of his last 36 games. This outstanding record showcases his consistency and skill over the years.A year ago, his friend and teammate Zach Frazier stole the limelight as he made a direct jump from WVU to the starting lineup with the Pittsburgh Steelers and even emerged as a candidate for Rookie of the Year in the NFL. However, this year, all eyes were on Milum, and he delivered on the big stage, despite the team's overall performance.For Milum, this is not just about personal achievements. He wants to inspire kids from West Virginia that hard work truly pays off. He believes that West Virginia athletics often don't receive the recognition they deserve, but success stories like his and those of his teammates prove that talent can emerge from anywhere.He has achieved all this with humility and reserve. He never set out to be an All-American or a first-round draft pick. His only goal was to be known as a dedicated football player."I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to play football," he said. "Reaching the next level is a dream come true, and that's always been my aspiration."While others around him focused on their NFL aspirations throughout the year, Milum remained focused on the present."I don't pay attention to what others say about the future," he explained. "I focus on the here and now, on each moment of the game."

Finishing the Season Strong

Some might consider this bowl game as a mere formality, but for Milum, it holds a deeper meaning. He wanted to finish the season with his teammates, knowing that the bond they share through the ups and downs of the year is what truly matters."The experiences we go through together, from winter workouts to facing adversity, it all brings us closer," he said. "I believe we can finish the season on a high note."How much he will play in the game remains to be seen, as it depends on the decisions of interim coach Chad Scott. But Milum is determined to give it his all, especially after the disappointing Texas Tech regular-season finale."That was a tough loss, and it left a bad taste in our mouths," he said. "But I still wanted to finish the season strong."He also knows that his former coach Neal Brown will be watching from somewhere."I want to express my gratitude to Coach Brown," he said. "He's an exceptional coach, and I'm grateful for the opportunity he gave me to play college football. I wish him all the best in the future."