Joe Milton: Tennessee stressing decision-making for quarterbacks

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton is being tabbed as one of 2023’s expected breakout players. His athleticism combined with his arm strength in a Josh Heupel-branded offense is enough for many to predict another stellar season for the Vols this year.

Amid the praise and excitement surrounding Milton’s abilities, he’s committed this offseason to improve in one area in particular.

“We preach it every day in the quarterback room. [Offensive coordinator Joey] Halzle preaches it a lot — don’t just outcome decision-making. Have a reason for everything you’re doing,” Milton said during SEC Media Days. “Whatever it takes in our offense if we have a play to the left or to the right, have a reason for going anyway that you choose.

“Go through your read and take care of the [football] like you [take care of] a family. Approach it the same way and attack that play. Go hard, go 100 percent the whole time. Because if you’re wrong, be 100 percent wrong. Attack it at the same speed as if you were right.”

With the sample size we’ve been given before this season, Milton hasn’t been criticized for his decision-making. Since arriving in Knoxville in 2020, Milton has passed for 1,346 yards and has a 12-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio. No interceptions usually result in a positive outcome, and it has.

After being forced into a starting role following former starter Hendon Hooker‘s torn ACL late last season, Milton helped lead the Vols to pivotal a 31-14 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl. He completed 19 of his 28 attempts (67.9 percent) for 251 yards and three touchdowns. The win officially put Tennessee back on the map with an 11-2 season and pitting Milton as the new face of the program. Milton’s role as starting QB at this point in Heupel’s tenure also sets the tone for the future of the program.

Having Milton in the quarterback room for one season while incoming five-star freshman QB Nico Iamaleava is being molded to fit into Heupel’s offensive scheme is surely doing wonders for the young blue-chipper as well. Iamaleava has already said that his role as a true freshman is to be ready and help prepare Milton to be the best version of himself.

Tennessee kicks off the Joe Milton era against Virginia on Sept. 2 inside Neyland Stadium, and the Vols opened as a 27.5-point favorite over the Cavaliers, according to Vegas Insider. The Vols’ first SEC test comes two weeks later when they travel to The Swamp for a matchup with the Florida Gators.