Why Josh Heupel's latest comment about Joe Milton should have Vols fans very excited
Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton was terrific in UT's win against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl last season. In just his second start of the year, Milton passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing in Tennessee's 31-14 win against Clemson. As good as Milton was against Clemson, there was still […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton was terrific in UT's win against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl last season.
In just his second start of the year, Milton passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing in Tennessee's 31-14 win against Clemson.
As good as Milton was against Clemson, there was still one area where he struggled a bit. And it's an area where Milton has to improve if Tennessee is going to compete for a championship in 2023.
Milton, despite his size and athleticism, hasn't been very dangerous with his legs since arriving at Tennessee.
Against Clemson, Milton had five rushing yards on 11 carries. The most rushing yards he had in a game last season was 23 yards against UT-Martin (Milton played most of the second half of that game).
Hendon Hooker on the other hand, routinely rushed for over 50 yards a game. Against Florida, Hooker totaled 112 yards on the ground. Hooker was never a "run first" quarterback for the Vols, but his ability to pick up valuable yards on the ground is what truly took his game to the next level.
Milton, according to Vols head coach Josh Heupel, is looking to be more dangerous as a runner in 2023. And if he can get better as a runner, it could be enough to carry Tennessee to championship.
"There are designed quarterback runs which we implement at times, situationally, that Joe has operated in and been really effective in," said Heupel during an appearance on SEC Nation on Tuesday. "Another step of his growth, from the end of the bowl game to where we’ve got to be when we kickoff, has to be him understanding the pocket, what’s happening with the coverage down the field, being able to step up, escape the pocket and create plays with his feet."
"And that’s going to be big throws down the field, but it’s also going to be him using those feet to go pick up," added Heupel. "It could be chunks of yards but it could be threes, fives and tens that keep you ahead. That’s got to be an area of growth for him. I think he’s taken steps in that, but that’s something we’ve got to see when we kickoff in the fall."
At times, Milton's struggled to run the ball because he's either waited too long to leave the pocket, or he simply hasn't hit the right running lane. Essentially, he has to have a better feel for when he needs to take off. The ability is there. Milton is quick enough to pick up chunks of yards. And he's big enough to run over smaller defenders. This simply comes down to being more comfortable on the field.
Perhaps that's something that will come along this season as Milton sees more action and finally gets a chance to settle in as a program's starting quarterback.
Everything is there for Milton to be a superstar in college football. The talent, the opportunity, and quality coaching. Now it's on Milton to put it all together.
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