Josh Heupel evaluates what he saw from Joe Milton this spring

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton impressed in his limited opportunities as the Vols starting quarterback last season, starting the final two games of the year against Vanderbilt and Clemson.

Milton went 2-0 in those two games, including leading Tennessee to a 31-14 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl to close out the year.

Milton is now expected to take over for former Vols QB Hendon Hooker as the full-time starter in 2023 after passing for 971 yards with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions in limited playing time in 2022.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recently spoke with 99.1 The Sports Animal about what he saw from Milton this spring.

“I thought he was extremely efficient and effective inside of the pocket, had great balance, eye discipline, was really solid and extremely accurate with the football during the course of our spring practice,” Heupel said.

It’s no surprise that Milton excelled this spring as he enters the 2023 season with high expectations.

The Michigan transfer has an incredibly strong arm and a good understanding of the Tennessee offense after spending the past two seasons in Heupel’s system.

There’s hope that Milton will be able to replicate the success that Hooker had last season and lead the Vols to another strong year.

“Joe Milton [is] a guy that was a leader inside of our program a year ago, supported Hendon in a great way,” Heupel said. “Everybody saw the impact that Hendon had, but Joe had an impact inside of our building, stepping into that role, he’s continued to grow as a man and as a leader. And continued to refine himself on the football field.”

ESPN shares expectations for Joe Milton in 2023

It’s safe to say that ESPN joins Heupel in expecting Milton to have a big 2023 season.

ESPN’s Chris Low recently wrote about what he believes Milton will accomplish this upcoming season.

“Heupel and the entire offensive staff are excited to see Milton operate now that he knows (and the team knows) that he’s clearly the man at quarterback,” Low wrote. “Milton beat out Hooker as the starter when he transferred from Michigan, but it became clear a few games into the 2021 season that Hooker was the better quarterback.

“Milton knows the 2023 season is his chance to make the kind of jump that Hooker did, and at 6-5, 242 pounds and with an arm that’s one of the strongest in college football, Milton has the tools to blossom into one of the top quarterbacks in the country.”