Josh Heupel Developing His "Joe Milton Formula"
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has admitted that recruiting quarterback Joe Milton III out of the portal was a no-brainer. The talented Michigan gunslinger never put things together in Ann Arbor, but the intangibles were undeniable. The 6-foot-5 Florida native can throw the football over 90 yards - you don't pass that talent up, especially in Heupel's scheme.
However, there is a reason Milton entered the transfer portal. He had a lot of flaws with the Wolverines - he belabored in the pocket, never got a feel or rhythm, and had several questionable turnovers. He has flipped the script on his career during his time at the University of Tennessee largely because Heupel is slowly figuring out how to add more and more to Milton's plate.
Milton's footwork and feel have consistently improved since he arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee. Timing is a core principle of Heupel's offense, and the assistant coaches have done a good job of helping Milton key in on previous deficiencies. He's not perfect in the pocket, but he has done a lot better in managing the game from inside the pocket over his last few starts. That's where the development plan starts: getting Milton those reps in spring practice, fall camp, and during mop-up duty the past two years. It's now time for him to step into the limelight as the starter, but Heupel has already devised a plan to get him acclimated.
Tennessee has recruited skill position players well since Heupel arrived, both from the high school ranks and in the transfer portal. He's kept the focus on them since Milton took the reigns against South Carolina. Tennessee has the athletes to make plays in the open field, so Heupel can immediately limit the number of negative decisions he could make. Tunnel screens, run-game extensions, and hot-read throws have been most of Milton's throws to this point - but there are reasons to believe they could open things up soon.
The Vols ran multiple deep crossing patterns against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, and Heupel let Milton take two to three shots against Virginia in the season opener. He's connected on a few of them, and as Tennessee dives into their SEC schedule in week three, Tennessee needs him to make more of those throws. Heupel calls those downfield concepts in specific scenarios, letting Milton feel things out before he has to do them multiple times in a game. To his credit, Milton has responded every step of the way, and the coaching staff truly believes he can replicate what Hendon Hooker did last year.
Tennessee Volunteers HC Josh Heupel during the win over Virginia on September 2nd, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Caitie McMekin of the News Sentinel)
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