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Tennessee Volunteers

Josh Heupel praises Joe Milton III’s approach, commitment to Tennessee

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

Joe Milton III’s story stands out in the transfer portal era. Like many players, he transferred from one Power 5 program (Michigan) to another (Tennessee). And like many transfers, Milton won a starting job. He lost that job, though, and unlike many of his peers, decided to stick around instead of transferring for another opportunity elsewhere.

Josh Heupel called Milton’s story “unique” when speaking to reporters Thursday.

“Joe has been great all season long,” Heupel said at a media opportunity. “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. We’re playing a great opponent, great defense. It’s going to take all 11 to go out there and perform at a high level tomorrow. But I’m excited to see Joe go compete, man, and excited for this opportunity for him.”

Milton is once again the starter as Tennessee looks to end 2022 with a bowl win. Heupel, though, says there will be competition at every position in the spring, including quarterback.

“Yeah, Friday is important because this is the last game for this football team this season,” Heupel told reporters. “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.”

Milton is in the fifth year of his college career as a redshirt senior. The NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver for the 2020 season allows him to return for a sixth season in 2023.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.

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