On3 Roundtable: How Joe Milton could be a Top-10 pick and potentially No. 1 overall

Joe Milton is now the man again heading into next season on Rocky Top. After losing the starting gig to Hendon Hooker, he will be Tennessee’s QB1 again in 2023 after a very solid end for the Vols last year. Now, if all goes right in Milton’s second round, VolQuest’s Austin Price believes a lot could be in store for him by the end of his sixth collegiate campaign.

Price joined On3’s JD PicKell on the On3 Roundtable to discuss Milton and what this season could mean for him. He says that, if Milton is the second straight successful quarterback for Josh Huepel at UT, he could end up as a top selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, even as far as saying that he could go No. 1 overall.

“If that happens? Then Joe Milton is a Top-10 pick and could be the No. 1 pick,” Price stated. “Even if Tennessee goes 9-3, I think Joe, with his skill set, is going to be a Top-10 pick at that point. I think he goes rocketing up draft boards if they’re winning 9 or 10 games.”

That would be a huge leap for Milton considering his college career. Over 30 games at Michigan and Tennessee, he is a prospect that has thrown for just over 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns on a 57.8% completion rate. Even so, Price thinks that, firstly, his growth on the field and in the Vol’s system is evidence enough to suggest that he could be in for a big-time year.

“I think what you saw in Ann Arbor and then what you saw those first couple games (at Tennessee) his first year? A lot of errant passes, a lot of overthrows,” said Price. “Josh Heupel had it schemed up in those first two games pretty good. And, you know, Joe just wasn’t on point.”

“I think he’s learned to put the air under the ball much better. It doesn’t mean he’s going to be perfect, right? I think there’s still areas he’s got to improve on,” Price continued. “These touch throws, when things break down and he’s got to dump it to the running back. How much has he improved in that area? Because I probably still think that’s one of his weaknesses. But I mean, like, you go back to the Clemson game? And, you know, he was very efficient. He never threw an interception last year in mop up duty (and) he never put the ball in harms way.”

Secondly, Price pointed out Milton’s maturity over his two official years with the Volunteers. He has faced a lot of ups and downs but is still standing. With Hooker off to the NFL, he now believes it’s Milton’s time to prove just how much that he has grown individually.

“I just think he grew a lot mentally. Joe’s a guy that’s kinda laid back, has a lot of inner self belief. I think, when he had to kinda take a step back and realize that Hendon had assumed the starting role? Having to watch Hendon have success? He didn’t pout, he didn’t put his head in the sand. He just said let’s learn from this,” said Price. “I just think Joe’s just grown a lot mentally. I think he’s matured and I think’s that’s why he’s a different player from what he was at Michigan.”

Before any of this happens, Milton first and foremost must have Tennessee in the conversation around college football again. However, assuming he accomplishes what Price expects, a bright future in the pros could be on the table for the gifted quarterback.