Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III is one of the SEC’s most talked-about players heading into the season this fall.
And, for good reason, too.
Milton is set to replace Hendon Hooker at quarterback and take the keys to Tennessee’s racecar of an offense, which finished as the No. 1 offense in the country just a season ago. Then you add on the pure athleticism that reminds some of what former Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson brought to the table last season.
All in all, the Joe Milton hype train has been gaining plenty of steam as the season draws closer.
One SEC media member was looking to pump the brakes on the train at SEC Media Days, though.
During a recent interview on SEC Network live from SEC Media Days in Nashville this week, SEC broadcaster and analyst Greg McElroy shared his thoughts about the Vols’ starting quarterback in 2023.
“I think the hype train, because he can throw it 85 yards, is getting a little out of control,” McElroy said on SEC Network via On3 Sports.
A video was recently released from Joe Milton’s time as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy event earlier in that summer that rocked social media. Milton could be seen throwing the ball more than 70 yards into the endzone, once again highlighting his raw power in throwing the ball.
Milton even teased SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic during SEC Media Days that he has thrown it 90+ yards before, but wouldn’t put an exact number on the throw.
“I’m not gonna give you an exact number but yes it starts with a 9”
– Joe Milton asked if he’s thrown a football 90+ yards on SIRIUSXM pic.twitter.com/6HtciHKVAZ
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) July 20, 2023
More from RTI: Is the Preseason Joe Milton Buzz a Good or Bad Thing?
Despite thinking the Milton hype train might be moving too fast on the tracks, McElroy does acknowledge Milton’s potential as a freakishly athletic quarterback but isn’t willing to anoint anyone just yet.
“He’s got an unbelievable ceiling, there’s no doubt he’s got an unbelievable ceiling,” McElroy continued on to say via On3. “But I don’t care if he can throw it 90 yards unless we have a hail mary situation. And guess what? If the receivers are 90 yards downfield, our o-line better be a brick wall because it’s not going to be easy.”
Back in April, McElroy referred to Milton as one of the dark horse Heisman contenders heading into the 2023 season.
Tennessee believes that Joe Milton has the ability to find success in his final season leading the Vols’ offense. But, aside from a strong performance in the Orange Bowl and a rainy victory over Vanderbilt in Nashville, Milton will have to carry that success through the entire season for Tennessee to compete the same way they did during the 2022 season.
“If you can find the quarterback, that is the neutralizer,” McElroy closed with via On3. “If you can just have that one guy – and it might be Tennessee. Maybe it’s Joe Milton.”
Tennessee and Joe Milton will open the season back in Nashville on Sept. 2 against Virginia in Nissan Stadium.
One Response
Of course the ex Alabama QB would say this about a UT QB. #Bammers