Joe Milton says everything he's doing is for Hendon Hooker

Tennessee lost their starting star quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Hendon Hooker for the remainder of the season last week after he suffered a torn ACL versus South Carolina. Quarterback and roommate to Hooker Joe Milton started in his place this weekend as the Volunteers took on Vanderbilt on Saturday, as Milton spoke on how he dedicated his performance to his close friend.

“If you look at Hendon himself he’s a warrior and we live together so I told him every day this week that it’s for him. I mean yeah, I’m trying to get my stats, but at the end of the day it’s for him because he put in a lot of effort for this,” Milton said. “There’s some nights Hendon don’t even go to sleep, he’s up all night so when he got hurt and went down man, it’s really just playing for him.”

Hooker and Milton both transferred to Tennessee in 2021, Milton from Michigan and Hooker from Virginia Tech. Milton actually started the 2021 season off as the starter and was replaced by Hooker in week 3 and beyond for the Volunteers, but the two still built and have maintained an inseparable bond.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“For me personally it means a lot, just because he’s been here since day one. I’ve been there for him and he’s always gonna be there for me and vice versa, but his presence just carries a lot. The whole team just loves being around him, he’s just a great person man,” Milton said.

Hooker gave his roommate some words of wisdom in his first start since week 2 of 2021, which paid off as the Vols broke Vanderbilt’s historic, two-game winning streak Saturday defeating them 56-0.

“The best advice he game to me for this game was just be me, keep doing what I do in practice. And I mean I feel like I played well, I feel like the team played well, I mean we won, Milton said.

Milton threw for 147 yards and one touchdown pass in a Volunteers victory, in a game dominated by their rushing attack. And hopefully in their bowl game, Milton can lead Tennessee to another victory as he will replace his close friend under center in one last game this season.

“I can say blood wouldn’t make us closer, both of our parents talk to each other, I don’t think blood can make us closer,” Milton said. “We see each other every day, we either riding in his car or riding in my car, either way we’re always together.”