The unique way Joe Milton is leading as Tennessee's starting QB in 2023
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton will be "the guy" this fall in Knoxville. Milton, who transferred from Michigan to Tennessee in early 2021, will enter the 2023 season as the Vols' clear starter at quarterback — there will be no "quarterback competition" this summer (true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will serve as the […]
Tennessee Vols redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton will be "the guy" this fall in Knoxville.
Milton, who transferred from Michigan to Tennessee in early 2021, will enter the 2023 season as the Vols' clear starter at quarterback — there will be no "quarterback competition" this summer (true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava will serve as the top backup).
The Florida native has essentially operated all offseason as Tennessee's starter, which means he's also operated all offseason as one of the Vols' main team leaders.
And when it comes to being a leader, Milton is doing it his own way.
Milton revealed on Thursday at SEC Media Days that he has unique handshakes with nearly every player on the team — even guys who barely see the field.
"For me, my best way to get connection with guys is handshakes," said Milton on Thursday in Nashville. "As a man, as a quarterback, I got handshakes with guys that barely even played, but that makes them feel special. That’s what I’m willing to do. I want guys to feel special on the team. Doesn’t matter if they play or not, right? They contribute on the team, so they matter."
Milton added that he has handshakes with "85 percent of the team".
That may not seem like a big deal, but making everyone on the team feel important is a quality of a great leader.
And being a great leader is essential to being a great quarterback. Milton was a leader in a lot of ways last season despite serving as the backup to starting quarterback Hendon Hooker. We saw that in the way that Milton led the team in singing "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama" after the Vols' memorable win against the Crimson Tide last October.
The only difference for Milton in 2023 is that he won't be deferring to Hooker in big moments. Instead, it'll be Milton leading the huddle in critical moments when the Vols need to score.
And thanks to his experience in 2022 — plus the unique handshakes and the way he's making an effort to be a leader for everyone on the team — Milton should be in a good spot to be a championship-caliber leader for the Vols this fall.
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Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
