Alex Golesh praises leadership of Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton

Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh sung the praises of Volunteers quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton as it pertains to their leadership abilities.

Speaking with the media, the Volunteers coach revealed he couldn’t be more impressed with the duo.

“I think just the way Hendon and Joe carry themselves,” began Golesh. “One, their competitive relationship with each other has been really fun to watch, because they do truly like each other and encourage each other and are each other’s biggest fans. I think the young guys, and that slot position is really, really young, having somebody to look at and say that’s how you become a college football player. That is how you act. That is how you come to work.

“I think at every spot is that way where you’re looking for model examples for these young guys, but Hendon and Joe have done a really good job of taking ownership in it. Not feeling like they’re stepping on each other’s toes. I give those two a lot of credit. That’s more than I could do at 22-years old, and somebody’s in-front of me. I’d have a hard time being a good soldier there. But credit to those guys, credit to (Tennessee Quarterbacks Coach) Joey Halzle and how he’s managed that room. Coach Heup’s leadership and pushing that on those guys, what a quarterback is supposed to do. What he’s supposed to look like, act like. What the day to day looks like. They’re still young guys, they still screw things up — but those guys leading has been really, really good.”

As you can see, Hooker and Milton are impressing everyone involved with the Volunteers with their leadership abilities — but Golesh added they aren’t the only ones.

“Cedric [Tillman] stepping up in a leadership role, which is way outside his comfort zone. That’s not who he is, and us putting pressure on him to do so has been monumental there. Jalin Hyatt has developed into a leader in that group because of the way he’s worked. He’s earned the right to do that. So, it’s been really, really fun,” added Golesh. “I give Jerome Carvin a lot of credit, like he’s taken a ton of ownership for us. I think a year ago he was kind of looking around like, ‘What the heck is going on?’ He’s taken a bunch of ownership in the entire thing, too.

But their relationship (Hooker and Milton’s) is unique. Like I said, give those guys a lot of credit. I couldn’t do that. I think most of us grownups got egos that couldn’t handle it.”

Competition brings out the best in people, and it’s evident Tennessee will be better for the competition between Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton.