Joe Milton III pushing Vols toward goal of national championship
After earning the starting job during Josh Heupel’s inaugural fall camp on Rocky Top, Joe Milton III only held on to it for two games due to an injury and the sustained high-level play of his replacement, Hendon Hooker.
Now, after serving as a backup to Hooker since week two of the 2021 season, Milton is once again set to take control of the reins to start another season in Knoxville. His growth and maturation since that moment has been well-documented by the media, his coaches and peers.
However, while Milton has earned high praise, he has remained somewhat reserved in his expectations for the upcoming season. But on Monday morning, veteran offensive lineman Dayne Davis revealed what the Tennessee quarterback has been voicing everyday on the practice field.
“Joe stepped up big time,” Davis said while meeting with local media on Monday morning. “Big shoes to fill for Joe, but I got all the confidence in Joe to lead us this season. Big things. We’re working towards the national championship, and that’s what Joe keeps resounding to the group every day.
“So, you know, just working towards that goal, and you know that’s what we’re fighting for. So we’re really looking forward to Joe’s season this year.”
Davis also reiterated that Milton’s expectation is what the rest of the roster is pushing for as well.
“Man, we’re pushing for an SEC championship,” Davis said of what he thought a successful season looks like this fall. “What’s gonna happen this year? Vols are back on top. SEC championship, national championship. That’s what we are working for.”
Milton has also continued to earn the trust of the offensive line group this off-season, according to Davis.
“Joe always has our back on the o-line,” Davis added of Milton. “He always has his eyes on the field, so he knows if we are messed up a little here or there in protection, he is going to give us time to re-ID it, the defense moves from play to play or third down. Joe has really meshed with this o-line well.”
Milton enters 2023 looking to build upon last season. He threw for 971 yards and ten touchdowns, while completing 64.6% of his passes. He served as the starter for Tennessee’s final two games of the season against Vanderbilt and Clemson.
First-year offensive coordinator Joey Halzle recent said Milton’s change over time has been significant.
“He’s a completely different guy, not just player,” Halzle said. “His attention to detail is elite. He came back after that Clemson game and was hungry to keep learning and keep pushing forward. He didn’t rest on his lulls and say he had figured it out. He pushed and saw the success that he had, and he knew what he could do.
“Now his mentality is matching that on how much he wants to learn and how he’s consuming the game at all times. It’s fun to be a part of right now, and it’s a special mindset that this kid has.”
