Tennessee QB Joe Milton doesn't care for one narrative that's formed about him
The story of Tennessee Vols quarterbacks Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker, the latter of which is now in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, has been discussed ad nauseam over the last year. Milton and Hooker both arrived in Knoxville in 2021 which is also when Josh Heupel took over as Tennessee's head coach. After […]
The story of Tennessee Vols quarterbacks Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker, the latter of which is now in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, has been discussed ad nauseam over the last year.
Milton and Hooker both arrived in Knoxville in 2021 which is also when Josh Heupel took over as Tennessee's head coach.
After a quarterback battle that lasted until just before the start of the season, Heupel named Milton as the Vols' starter. The Florida native started in a win against Bowling Green before getting hurt against Pittsburgh. Hooker entered the game and though Tennessee eventually lost, Hooker showed enough to hold onto the starting job over Milton.
The narrative that's formed over the last two years has been that Milton "lost" the job to Hooker.
And that's a narrative that Milton doesn't necessarily agree with.
Milton was quick to point out at SEC Media Days in Nashville last week that he didn't lose the job to Hooker. Instead, Milton noted that he was injured and couldn't play.
“I was hurt, I couldn’t go back in the game no more, so Hendon did his job,” said Milton. “He went in there, he executed and he kept the offense rolling. What can I say if the coaches chose to (stick with Hooker)? I mean, he did his job.”
Milton has never had any animosity toward Hooker or the coaches for the way the starting quarterback job was handled in 2021 (which is a testament to Milton's maturity, mindset, and approach). But Milton is still a competitor. And even though he was the backup to Hooker for most of the last two seasons, he constantly prepared as if he was the starter.
Who knows how things play out if Milton doesn't get hurt against Pittsburgh. Maybe he finds his groove after a couple of games and he ends up becoming a college football superstar. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. It all worked out for the Vols (especially in 2022). And Milton will be rewarded for his patience this fall when he takes over for Hooker as Tennessee's starting quarterback.
Comment from Joe Milton should scare every defensive back on Tennessee’s schedule in 2023
Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton made a comment on Thursday at SEC Media Days that should scare every defensive back on UT’s schedule in 2023
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
