The Tennessee Volunteers are a week away from their first game (on Sept. 2 against Bowling Green), and they still haven’t named a starting quarterback.

In the mix are Joe Milton III, Hendon Hooker and Harrison Bailey. Recent buzz suggests Milton could be gaining ground on winning the job, but nothing has been formally announced yet.

On Monday, OC Alex Golesh spoke with the media and praised Milton for the work he’s done to learn the offense. He also had plenty of nice things to say about all 3 quarterbacks (via UTSports.com):

“He’s really done a good job, really a great job of fitting in, adjusting, learning, growing,” Golesh said. “He spent a bunch of time in May, June, July learning the system. He’s a football-smart young man. He’s played in games that matter. For him, it’s just been a terminology, a progression, a read. The way we coach quarterbacks is unique. I think Joey (Halzle) has done an incredible job with him, doing the very best he can to prepare him.

“Really all of those quarterbacks, all three of those guys (Milton, Bailey and Hooker), we’ve put them in tough situations. Tried to create tough situations in practice and in scrimmages. I think Joe has caught on really, really well. He’s progressed. He’s gotten better. He’s had bad days, we all have, but he’s had bad days. My biggest point of emphasis offensively for us in general, quarterback position specifically, how do you respond to the bad day? I think in general, that’s been the message. The quarterback position, every position, right? A bunch young guys, a bunch of guys that haven’t played a whole lot, trying to instill confidence while bringing adverse situations into play.  You can say, ‘adversity’s going to come. Adversity’s going to come. Adversity’s going to come.’ You just hope it doesn’t come for the first time Sept. 2 at Neyland, so you’re trying to create those situations.

“To me, not coaching the quarterbacks, I want to see how they respond. I think Coach Heupel’s in the same breath, and I think us as an offense are in the same breath at that position. Adversity’s coming. How do you respond and continue to instill confidence through those adverse situations? That has been the focus at that spot.”

It stands to reason that a starter will be named sometime soon, as the Vols continue to approach their Week 1 matchup. We’ll see who takes QB1 snaps this week.