Josh Heupel comments on Joe Milton and the Vols QB competition in spring
On Wednesday, Tennessee Vols quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle told reporters that UT will have an open quarterback competition in the spring. “We’ll have a quarterback competition,” said Halzle in Miami on Wednesday. “And it’s just like from the earlier question about the game, does that weigh in, absolutely, because what you do on the field, […]
On Wednesday, Tennessee Vols quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle told reporters that UT will have an open quarterback competition in the spring.
“We’ll have a quarterback competition,” said Halzle in Miami on Wednesday. “And it’s just like from the earlier question about the game, does that weigh in, absolutely, because what you do on the field, it matters as far as who’s playing. But yeah, we’ll have a quarterback competition this offseason and go from there.”
On Thursday, Vols head coach Josh Heupel confirmed that Tennessee will have a quarterback competition while also noting that every position will have competition.
"Friday is important because this is the last game for this football team this season," said Heupel when asked how Joe Milton's performance against Clemson will impact the quarterback competition. "It’s the end of that culmination. We’re going to have competition at every position next spring in our program. We’ve got to go out and earn it and take it every single day, and that’s true at the quarterback position, as well. Everybody inside that room understands and knows."
Heupel also praised Milton, the starter for the Vols against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, for the way he's handled being the No. 2 quarterback behind Hendon Hooker the last two seasons.
“Joe has been great all season long," said Heupel. "I think it’s a unique story in today’s atmosphere inside of college football that someone is that talented and has had some success at the quarterback position, ends up being moved to the No. 2 spot, sees that there’s value in the staff cares about me, the staff can help develop me. I can perform inside of this offense, and my traits fit this. And I’ve got to stay the course because I need to grow. That can be mentally, it can be emotionally, it can be fundamentally."
“I think in today’s world for a young man to see that and be able to say, hey, I’m going to sit here, I’m going to compete every single day with Hendon or whoever that young man might be and to handle it the right way is a great story. He’s prepared like he’s going to be the starter, all off-season, all training camp, all season long. He’s continued to grow."
Milton deserves a lot of credit for the way he's handled himself the last two seasons. Instead of transferring or becoming bitter, he was one of Hooker's biggest supporters.
It's now Milton's turn to lead the program, but he's not going to just be handed the keys to the offense. If he truly wants to be the Vols' starting quarterback, he's going to have to win the job in the spring. And that's exactly how it should be — competition brings out the best in players,
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
