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🏈 The transformation of Joe Milton

🏈 The transformation of Joe Milton

How Joe Milton rebounded from 2021

Josh Ward
July 21, 2023

Hello. This is the Josh and Swain Newsletter, a quick roundup of the week’s top stories and topics involving Tennessee and the sports world.

Here’s what we have for you today:

Joe Milton III’s surprise admission from the 2021 football season
Josh Heupel lands a 5⭐ on the recruiting trail
Lane Kiffin came out firing at SEC Media Days
A full lesson on how strong the SEC will be in 2023

JOE IS READY TO GO

Photo via Andrew Ferguson | UT Athletics

More people have questioned Joe Milton’s ability to play quarterback than you might’ve guessed.

Milton started for Tennessee in 2021 after arriving as a transfer from Michigan that summer.

The result wasn’t a disaster, but it didn’t go well, either.

“Overthrow Joe” was a popular nickname after he continued to shoot too far on deep passes against Bowling Green and Pittsburgh.

The Pitt game was especially problematic.

After he was injured during the game, Hendon Hooker took over and never looked back.

It’s natural that fans doubted Milton would ever return to the starting position.

But there was another unlikely doubter of Milton.

It was Milton.

Joining Tyler and Will at SEC Media Days on Thursday, Milton admitted he spent time in 2021 wondering if he was cut out to play quarterback.

“When I got hurt, I looked at myself in the mirror and I was like, ‘Man, am I good enough for this game?’ I doubted myself for like a week. I was in a quarterback room slouched for like a week. I was going through that phase like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I want to be here. I probably just want to go home.’

But I went back home after that week, and I looked myself in the mirror again. And I was like, ‘Man, God gave you 6-5 height, 235 pounds of weight. A lot of muscle. You can throw the ball very far. You’re accurate. You can run. You know how to talk to people. You know how to lead. You know how to win football games. So why not go back out there and compete to your highest level?’ So I looked at that … and I made it happen.”

Run into Milton now and all you’ll see is confidence.

There are several good reasons for that:

◾ That natural ability he discussed
◾ Spending more time learning from Josh Heupel and his staff
◾ the confidence Milton has seen from his teammates

Having a close relationship with Hooker, who has predicted a huge season for Milton, is another a factor.

That’s why Heupel praised Milton on Thursday.

“Nobody inside our program was surprised by the success that he had when he got his opportunity last year as a starter. He played extremely well when he got into football games throughout the course of the season.

But his preparation, his urgency, how he practiced, all those things led himself and everybody inside our building to believing that he was going to play at that type of level. And he's got a lot more out there.“

Milton was the talk of Thursday and a lot of the week at SEC Media Days.

Some people — both fans and the media — also hesitate to predict a big season from Milton.

Isn’t that understandable?

We need to see more than the Clemson game to know how good Milton can be as a full-time starter.

Milton’s performance in the Orange Bowl showed he has improved from 2021.

And his talent is obvious.

“(Milton) might be the most gifted quarterback on Earth,” ESPN’s Cole Cubelic said on Thursday. “Just talking about God-given ability.”

Now, let’s see if Milton can be consistent.

If he is, the potential for Tennessee’s season reaches a championship level.

It’s not all on Milton, by the way.

The Vols’ defense has a few questions to answer. And several players have to step up to replace guys who departed from last year’s team.

But the conversation starts with Milton.

And he’s ready to be part of it.

There’s no doubt about that.

VOLS SNAG A FIVE-STAR

Tennessee’s arrival at SEC Media Days followed big news from wide receiver Mike Matthews.

The five-star prospect from Lilburn, Ga., announced his commitment to the Vols on Wednesday night.

Matthews is a game-changer for Tennessee’s 2024 class. The Vols beat out Clemson, Georgia and Southern Cal to land him.

And yes, Tennessee will have to continue to recruit Matthews because other schools will, too.

But the effort will be worth it.

What is Tennessee getting with Matthews’ commitment?

“A real energetic player and somebody who wants to win,” Matthews said during his announcement with On3. “That’s really it. … I’m just hungry and want to win.”

Want more info on Tennessee’s latest commit? Here’s what Austin Price of Volquest said when evaluating Matthews:

“You talk to some people down at Parkview and they talk about his ability to hang in the air, whether it be on defense trying to get a pick or on offense … I’m talking about comparing him to Michael Jordan in terms of his ability to go up and just hang.

You think he’s going to come back down and he doesn’t. Great ball skills. Just a driven kid who really doesn’t rest on any of his success. First one in the gym, last one to leave. Carries himself like a pro’s pro.“

The Michael Jordan comparison will fly with Tennessee fans.

Matthews is a playmaker. And with his skillset in Heupel’s offense, fans can already imagine the highlights they’ll see in Neyland Stadium.

Especially when Matthews is paired with former five-star signee Nico Iamaleava, who’s set to take over at quarterback in 2024 when Matthews arrives.

Matthews’ commitment also boosts Tennessee’s recruiting profile.

The Vols signed a strong class in 2023 and have positioned themselves to do well in 2024.

Matthews choosing Tennessee adds to the program’s credibility. Now Heupel and his staff will try to take advantage of the momentum.

The next prospect to watch is four-star linebacker Edwin Spillman from Nashville.

He’ll announce his decision on Friday (2:30 PM ET). It’s Tennessee vs Ohio State.

If the Vols land Spillman, whose older brother Nate is a freshman receiver at UT, they’ll have something cooking.

Tennessee has other needs to address. The Vols need more talent up front on both offense and defense.

The SEC is a line-of-scrimmage league. So Tennessee needs more players there.

Tennessee also needs as much playmaking and speed as it can find. And it found that with Matthews’ commitment.

Check out this week’s conversation with Austin Price to learn more about the latest with Tennessee football recruiting. ⬇️⬇️

SPORTS NUGGETS

🏈 Tennessee made its goal for this season clear: win the SEC East.

🏈 Lane Kiffin called NIL and the current transfer portal rules “a disaster” for college football.

🏈 Do you expect Alabama to be down again this season? Nick Saban is feeding that “negative rat poison” to his team for motivation.

🏈 It’s official: the NFL’s Washington franchise has sold. Price tag: $6.05 billion.

🏈 How serious could Saquon Barkley’s contract situation get with the Giants? Well, these comments don’t look like a joke.

⚽ One Knox SC will return home on Saturday for an important game against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

⚾ Here’s a look at where every MLB team stands one week after the All-Star break.

🎧 Check out our interviews and press conferences from SEC Media Days in this all-in-one feed from 99.1 The Sports Animal.

RUNNIN’ THROUGH THAT T

There are many traditions Tennessee fans love.

The Vol Walk. The Vol Navy.

A lot of families have personal traditions they cherish.

For many, watching Tennessee players run through the T ranks No. 1 among Vol Football traditions.

That’s why Thomas Edwards’ new song is about to be a hit.

The VFL and former Tennessee offensive lineman possesses tremendous talent.

And his new song, “Runnin’ Through That T” will allow everyone to see it.

Enjoy the song below — and remember the season is only 42 days (from Saturday) away.

ONE LAST BYTE OUT THE DOOR

Who’s going to be good in the SEC this season?

Maybe… everybody.

I know, I know.

There will be a few teams that rise to the top and a few that disappoint.

Injuries will occur and unexpected results will follow.

But after talking to Cole Cubelic on Thursday, a case can be made for each to have success this season — with different teams having different standards for “success” in 2023.

Check out the full conversation below.

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