Josh Heupel on how Joe Milton handled Hendon Hooker taking the starting job from him

SEC Media Days has been wrapping up today in Nashville, Tennessee. On3’s Andy Staples has been on the ground and interviewing a wide range of players and coaches on his podcast. On Thursday evening, Staples took some time to chat it up with Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel about the upcoming season on The Andy Staples podcast.

One of the more intriguing topics that the Vols’ head man handled was about how Joe Milton III handled it when Hendon Hooker came in and took the starting quarterback job from him in fall camp of 2021.

Heupel said Milton handled the situation with positivity

“Yeah, in a rare turn of events, really in a unique way, if you look at the landscape of college football where guys are hitting the portal, looking for immediate gratification. Joe looked at it and said, you know what, I’m gonna be a great teammate,” Heupel continued. “But I know I need to grow. I know I’ve got coaches and assistants that are going to allow me to grow. When ready, I’m gonna play at a high level.

“I’m gonna compete everyday to be the guy but do it in a really positive way. It’s why he took advantage of his opportunity late last year. That’s really how he played every time he got the opportunity to get in the game.”

Once Milton stepped in for Hooker late last year, he was lights out. He finished with 971 yards, 10 touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 64.6% completion percentage.

How does Heupel expect Milton to be that same consistent guy week to week?

“Well I think, you know, for him, he’s had consistency at the quarterback coaching position. The same voices with Coach Halzle and me being in there on a consistent basis. He’s grown in his understanding of what we do. Understanding the game. All of that’s parlayed itself into him being really consistent. He will [be consistent this year],” Heupel said on Thursday evening.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Milton was a four-star recruit out of Orlando (Fla.) Olympia, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 42 overall prospect in the state, the No. 17 quarterback in the class and the No. 242 overall prospect in the class.

It should be yet another exciting year to watch the Vols’ high-octane offensive attack. It’ll be interesting to see how Milton answers the questions everybody has about his game during the 2023-2024 campaign.

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.