Joe Milton has been at Tennessee since 2021, but 2023 was the first time he entered spring as QB1.

Milton has had a unique college experience. After beginning his career at Michigan in 2018, he transferred to Tennessee in April 2021, days after the Orange and White game.

Milton would start the 2021 season, but lose his job to Hendon Hooker, who would remain the starter through 2021 and ’22 until a season-ending injury. Milton closed out the Vols’ 2022 season and led UT to an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson.

In Saturday’s spring game, Milton appeared to solidify his status as the Week 1 starter with an impressive showing. After the game, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel discussed the growth he has seen from Milton in his second spring with the program.

“I think some of that starts with off the field and being really sure in who he is and what he is about,” Heupel said in his postgame press conference. “Defining and growing in his work habits. That has allowed him to be more consistent and grow inside of what we are doing.

“If you are talking about just the football player, it starts with an understanding of what we are doing, understanding defenses and being consistent with his reads. Pair that with growth fundamentally, getting his feet in the ground and being in a consistent, positive position to be able to deliver the football from the ground up. You pair those things together and he is able to grow. You saw some of that in the way that he played at the end of last year. He has had a really good spring.”

Milton is in his sixth and final season of college eligibility. The Vols open the 2023 season in Nashville on Sept. 2 against Virginia.

[H/T 247Sports]