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Tennessee has Juggs machine set near 'breaking your fingers' level to simulate Joe Milton

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•09/13/23
Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 02: Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws a pass during a college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Virginia Cavaliers on September 2, 2023, at Nissan Stadium, in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tennessee has had to adjust to a new starting quarterback this fall, and one of the ways the receivers have gotten used to Joe Milton is by cranking up a setting on the Juggs machine.

The Juggs machine is the contraption that flings footballs at receivers, allowing them to work on their craft even when a quarterback isn’t present.

For Milton, though, receivers have had to adjust the Juggs machine to properly replicate the kind of ball he throws. And, well, that’s not particularly easy.

“I think we’ve got it turned up about like just a threshold below breaking your fingers,” receiver Bru McCoy said on the Andy Staples On3 show. “It’s probably five or six on the Juggs. We always keep it high just to challenge ourselves, but definitely an emphasis on speed of the ball this year.”

While last year’s starting quarterback, Hendon Hooker, was tremendous and helped lead the Vols to 11 wins, he doesn’t have the same kind of athletic profile that Milton has.

Milton is a monster, capable of throwing the ball seemingly any distance down the field. He can also absolutely gun it in there.

So far through two games Milton has been quite good. He’s got a 66.7% completion percentage and has thrown for 429 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He’s been sacked just twice.

McCoy has been involved, though he hasn’t necessarily had a breakout performance just yet. In two games he’s tallied seven catches for 72 yards.

The important thing, though, is that he feels very comfortable with Milton throwing him the rock. All of the receivers have adjusted to the kind of ball he throws, particularly deep down the field.

“You don’t have to worry about it at all,” McCoy said. “You know he’ll get it to you and you can just focus on making sure you get your depth, or make sure you’re digging, running full speed down the field. You know you don’t have to get your eyes back super quick, you’ve got time to run. So I think it’s an advantage.”

Tennessee will put Milton, its receivers and the Juggs machine to the test on Saturday with a road trip to Florida.

The Gators currently boast a top-10 passing defense nationally, having allowed just 115.5 yards per game through the air.