Joey Halzle explains how Orange Bowl performance proved Joe Milton is ready to start

Joe Milton is ready to lead Tennessee as the Volunteers starting quarterback in 2023.

Some may have had their doubts regarding Milton’s ability to replace Hendon Hooker, but Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle believes Milton’s performance against Clemson in the Orange Bowl proved he can get the job done for the Volunteers.

“He was great, and it was all in his preparation,” the Tennessee offensive coordinator explained. “That dude was so prepared to play that game. Clemson threw out a bunch of different kinds of defenses when you watch the tape. What you do in the bowl season is you’re not watching four or five, you’re looking at everything. They’re going from three-down to four-down to pressure to drop-eight to zone to man. That dude was dialed in on every aspect of the game-plan. If they’re going pressure, this is what we’re thinking. This is what we’re thinking zone, drop. This is how we’re going to attack every portion of it. Man, by the time we got to game-day, he could’ve rattled off every version of that game-plan right back to you. That dude was so prepared.

“When he was that prepared, then you just got to see his talent take over, because he is immensely talented. That’s a guy that’s as talented as anyone that will ever throw a football.”

Milton completed 19 of his 28 attempts (67.9 percent) for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the Orange Bowl against the Tigers. It was the quarterback’s moment of reassurance, him letting all of Knoxville know they’re in good hands for 2023.

Continuing, Halzle elaborated on how he’s been working with Milton on the mental aspect of his game, because the quarterback has all the physical tools to succeed at this level.

“It’s okay not to know, you’re going to miss throws. Let’s figure out why. You don’t have to be perfect,” Halzle told VolQuest about Milton’s development. “Joe is a perfectionist, which is not a bad trait for a quarterback wanting to do it well.

“But when you’re getting to the point where you’re mad when you miss a throw or you’re pissed off when you miss a read, it’s like instead of going that way with it, let’s just watch it later today [on film].”

As you can see, Joe Milton seems primed for a star-making 2023 in Tennessee’s offense, which says a lot after the trials and tribulations he’s faced. It should be fun to watch him ball out next season.