Kendall Milton, and parents Carla and Chris Milton, on a recent recruiting trip to Washington. (Photo via Chris Milton)

Buchanan High School (Clovis, California) running back Kendall Milton had a painful yet memorable International Bowl debut three years ago.

After a short run on the game’s first play, Milton felt pain in his left elbow, but thought it was just a mild stinger. He subsequently returned to the backfield, and took his next carry for a 50-yard touchdown.

When he went to the sideline, the athletic trainer took a look and told Milton he had a broken elbow. After two plays and a score, it was off to the emergency room.

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That brief performance is one of many bricks in the ever-building legend of Kendall Milton, regarded by many nationally as the best running back in the Class of 2020.

Milton took that injury in stride, and relished the growth opportunity that International Bowl week provided.

“You were able to bond with other top athletes from around the country, form a brotherhood that you can’t find anywhere else,” he said.

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Since that first year, Milton – who takes the field Friday as part of the U.S. Under-17 National Team that faces British Columbia in International Bowl IX at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas – has been a full-fledged participant in the USA Football developmental program.

“It provides an opportunity to get out of our community, our state, to see different philosophies of coaching, different techniques,” said Chris Milton, Kendall’s father. “And with Kendall being the player he is, obviously we get a lot of invitations to stuff, so we have to sift through all of that and decide where our money is best spent. With USA Football, you know what you’re going to get.”

Through multiple International Bowls and development camps, the Miltons have made trusted connections that help them strategize for what can be an overwhelming recruiting process. Chris especially thanks University of California running backs coach Burl Toler III and USA Football U.S. National Team Senior Manager Aaron Ingram.

“Coach Ingram has become a mentor, a family member – for a lack of better words – throughout everything,” Chris said. “Kendall is a national name, and Aaron has really helped us navigate it all, how to handle the attention at 15 years old, with advice to keep him humble and what to be involved in.”

The 6-2, 208-pound sophomore – who carries himself more like a man in his 20s than someone who's not old enough for a driver’s license – accounted for 1,631 total yards and 25 TDs last fall. He's received more than a dozen offers, mainly from West Coast powers like USC, UCLA and Washington, but his name has now reached the East Coast as well.

Milton values the friendships he’s made at various USA Football events.

“It’s good to see the people who you’re out there grinding with go out and get offers and get these big accomplishments,” he said.

He’s also grateful for the opportunities he’s received.

“Being able to put that USA jersey on, it’s a great accomplishment,” he said. “The fact that my parents make the sacrifice for me to do this, and their hard work, I’ll always be thankful for that.”