Joe Milton proving to be a rarity for Vols in today's college football landscape

Joe Milton transferred to Tennessee to be the program’s starting quarterback. For a while, to start the 2021 season, he was. Unfortunately, he struggled and lost the starting job to Hendon Hooker. Now the backup at Tennessee, quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle explained what makes Milton so unique in college football.

“It’s probably something that’s going to be rapidly disappearing, to have a backup quarterback with experience,” Halzle said of Joe Milton. “I think that speaks to the relationship that he and Hendon have, and also the way he feels about this place. He wasn’t in a hurry to jump up and leave as soon as Hendon had the type of year that he did. That’s been awesome that he’s been like that and that we have that type of guy in our room right now.”

In a world where players, especially quarterbacks, can transfer without having to sit out a season, there has been tons of movement. According to On3, 45% of starting quarterbacks in 2022 will be transfers. Joe Milton easily could have moved for a new opportunity, again. Instead, he chose to stay at Tennessee and keep working to better himself and the Volunteers.

Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker’s relationship.

Joey Halzle also explained that Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker have a great relationship. Yes, there is natural competition between the two, but there aren’t hard feelings. Seeing as Hooker took Milton’s job, there easily could have been.

“Joe and Hendon have a real relationship, not just on the field but off it,” Halzle said. “They have become really, really close friends. They compete with each other every day. Growing up, you always want to beat your best friend, but it’s always in a positive light. That positivity and that positive energy has really just translated into our QB room.”

“One, it’s extremely rare to have that kind of dynamic. But two, it really speaks to what Coach Heupel has built here culture-wise. I know I’ve said that a couple times in here already, but it’s the truth that these guys all understand that we’re all trying to get something bigger, and everyone has a role.”