Tennessee QB coach Joey Halzle praises mentality of Joe Milton

The Tennessee Volunteers took a commanding 45-7 lead in the third quarter in their dominant win over Ball State, which allowed backup quarterback Joe Milton to take the reigns of the offense. Milton completed eight passes and had just one incompletion, throwing for 113 yards and a touchdown, and impressing quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle with his performance.

“He played extremely well, hate to use the word flawless but he played extremely high level out there, it gave us a bunch of confidence. Today with the transfer portal and all that it’s hard to have two high-level quarterbacks and Joe showed us that we have two very good options at quarterback and we have a ton of confidence playing them,” Halzle said.

Milton is a graduate transfer from Michigan who actually has some starting experience for the Wolverines and Volunteers, starting in seven games for them in his career. He assumed the backup quarterback role after the emergence of star quarterback Hendon Hooker, and has been playing that role well. Halzle spoke on the challenges of being a backup quarterback, and praised Milton for his mentality and preparation within that role.

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“It is, it’s a tough spot to be in because you have to prepare as the starter with a quarter of the reps that the starter’s getting, as it should be he’s the one that’s taking the field he’s gotta get the most,” Halzle explained. “He’s done a really good job of making sure that he is mentally focused every single time we take the field and he goes through his calls, he makes every call even when he’s not in the game.”

Milton entered the 2021 season as the starting quarterback and started the first two games of the season until Hooker took over in the starting role in week 3 and never looked back. Halzle explained how that situation has impacted Milton’s mentality as a backup quarterback and allowed him thrive in the role.

“So he’s embraced that, okay I understand because it happened to him on the other way of how quickly this can switch, so he’s already ready to go and that’s why I said on the front end we feel confident rolling him. We don’t have a separate, okay if Joe’s in it’s this if Hendon’s in it’s this, for whatever reason he’s in there you’re calling it and you’re rolling,” Halzle said. “And that’s what he’s earned in the way he’s prepared.”

Milton has been developing and improving behind Hooker, and entered this season with two years of eligibility left. Milton could be the starter of the future for Tennessee, but for now, the Vols are thankful and confident in the strength and consistency in their quarterback room.