What Joe Milton said about his decision to opt out of the Citrus Bowl and declare for the NFL Draft
Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III announced on social media Wednesday morning that he is opting out of the Citrus Bowl while declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. It opens the door for five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava to make his first career start on New Year’s Day against Iowa.
Here’s what Milton said in the statement he posted on social media explaining his decision:
First, I want to thank GOD for blessing me wit hate talent and ability to play this game we love so much.
Throughout my years here at Tennessee, I’ve learned a lot. Becoming a man was the best part. Every day came down to giving My All for Tennessee. Grinding day-in, day-out with my brothers wad odee litttt! I love y’all boys. Mane I’ll always have y’all boys back no matter what, and I look forward to supporting y’all all week in Orlando.
To all my coaches, thanks for helping me become a better player every day, and to Coach Heup, Coach Halzle and Coach Mitch, thank you for helping me become an even better man. RESPECT.
Playing inside Club Neyland and especially running through the “T,” I’m going to miss it all. Playing in the NFL has always been my dream since I was 4 years old. Now it’s time to turn those dreams into reality as I begin preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Thanks Vol Nation for everything.
Milton started his career at Michigan and spent three seasons with the Wolverines, throwing for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns over 14 games before transferring to Tennessee before the 2021 season.
He initially won the starting quarterback job during Tennessee’s fall camp before the 2021 season, but injured his ankle in a home loss to Pittsburgh in September, opening the door for Hendon Hooker to take over.
Milton remained loyal to Tennessee while Hooker took over at quarterback for the remainder of the 2021 season and starred as a Heisman Trophy contender in 2022.
But the quarterback position went back to Milton after Hooker suffered a torn ACL in November 2022. Milton last season threw for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns, appearing in nine games, and this season as the full-time starter finished with 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Milton as a recruit was a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class out of Olympia High School in Orlando. He was ranked No. 242 overall, was the No. 17 quarterback and the No. 42 overall prospect in the state of Florida.
Iamaleava headlined Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class, signing with the Vols as the No. 1 overall prospect in the country in the On3 ratings.
No. 21 Tennessee (8-4) and No. 17 Iowa (10-3) on Monday are scheduled for a 1 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff (TV: ABC) in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
