Joe Milton reveals what he has learned about playing quarterback in SEC

Joe Milton III is no longer a stranger to the SEC. Nonetheless, the Tennessee quarterback hasn’t forgotten the learning process. During SEC Media Days, Milton discussed what he learned during his assimilation into the conference.

“You just have to prepare the right way. You’re gonna have great dudes every game, right? So being able to study that film and understand what guys are gonna do before they do it is the best part,” Milton said on July 20.

Milton’s preparation paid off. The 6-foot-5 QB started in Tennessee’s final two games last season after Hendon Hooker went down with an injury. In his limited time, Milton completed 53-of-82 (.650) passes for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions.

Before joining Tennessee in 2021, Milton played under head coach Jim Harbaugh for three years at Michigan. While there, Milton was the backup for two seasons before earning the starting spot in his redshirt sophomore season.

Due to COVID, the Wolverines only played six games. Starting in five of those contests, Milton completed 80-of-141 pass attempts for 1,077 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Not the Milton Tennessee knows.

The 23-year-old talent believes a player’s transition into the SEC is a special process.

“I feel like the more anybody could talk to you about what the SEC football is like, you have to experience it on your own to actually understand it,” Milton said.

Milton claims speed is the biggest difference between the SEC and the Big 10.

“Obviously, on the Big 10 level, on my team at Michigan, I had Aidan Hutchinson,” Milton said, referring to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. “He was in my class, and just going against him every day he got fast as the years went by. Now, it’s just guys that are his size all the time.”

Evidently, Milton has adjusted to the difference. The Florida native was reportedly spectacular at the Manning Passing Academy this offseason, dazzling scouts with his cannon-of-an-arm.

“The buzz out of Knoxville so far is that he is dialed in,” On3’s own JD PicKell said. “All the reports that we’ve heard from people that are close to that operation are that he is looking good, which at this point in the year, you would hope that everybody looks good. But he’s looking like he is comfortable in the system.”

Fans can only hope that comfort translates into wins. Tennessee will take the field on Sept. 2, when the Vols take on Virginia in their season-opener.