Tennessee QB Joe Milton reached an incredible speed in win over UTSA
Tennessee Volunteers QB Joe Milton is an absolute specimen. Anyone who's even a casual college football fan at this point has likely heard about Milton's superior arm strength. But it might be another aspect of Joe Milton that is perhaps, somehow, even more impressive. Milton reached a top speed of 21.3 miles per hour on […]
Tennessee Volunteers QB Joe Milton is an absolute specimen. Anyone who's even a casual college football fan at this point has likely heard about Milton's superior arm strength.
But it might be another aspect of Joe Milton that is perhaps, somehow, even more impressive.
Milton reached a top speed of 21.3 miles per hour on his 81-yard touchdown run last Saturday in Tennessee's 45-14 win over UT-San Antonio. The run was number five of the "fastest five of the week" across all of college football per Reel Analytics, who provide detailed in-game player analytics.
Milton's wheels and seemingly robotic throwing arm undoubtedly have NFL scouts drooling. That combination of athleticism is something that's very rarely seen at the most important position on the football field. A player who is 6'5" and 235 pounds simply shouldn't be able to run that fast.
Many fans have called for Tennessee to implement more plays that give Milton the option to run or clamored for Milton to take off instead of staying in the pocket. In the previous two seasons with Hendon Hooker, the Vols' starting QB ran at a far-higher rate. Hooker had 166 rushing attempts in 13 games in 2021 and 104 in 11 games in 2022. That comes to a rate of 12.8 and 9.5 per game, respectively. So far Milton has 22 rushing attempts through 4 games.
Although rushing attempts take sacks into consideration, it's clear that Hooker's legs were a far bigger part of UT's offense than Milton's have been – at least so far this year. Hooker, to his credit, was quick to take off and pick up yardage when passing plays went south. Milton is clearly not as comfortable doing that.
However, if plays like this can be had with a quarterback with this type of foot speed, then Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator/QB coach Joey Halzle need to tell their star signal caller to tuck the football and run a lot more often.
Tennessee QB Joe Milton had a hilarious reaction to his 81-yard TD run
Joe Milton had the best reaction to his 81 yard TD run against UTSA
