During Tennessee’s loss to South Carolina, star quarterback Hendon Hooker suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

Replacing the Vols’ durable and legendary signal caller was Joe Milton III. 

After spending his first three seasons at Michigan and a majority of the following two seasons as Tennessee’s backup, Milton became the likely choice to take over the reins to the Vols’ offense in 2023. However, due to Hooker’s injury, the Milton era will begin sooner than expected. 

This unexpected development doesn’t worry Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, though. 

“I think he’s a lot more comfortable in what we’re doing, so in the run game, and just in his decision-making process, eyes – all of it – he’s a lot further ahead than where we saw him at the beginning of last season,” said Heupel. “The guys around him have changed, too. I anticipate him playing at a really high level.”

In relief against the Gamecocks, he provided proof of his positive impact in limited action. On just eight attempts, he totaled 108 passing yards and a touchdown. He also added 17 rushing yards on two totes. Previously in the season, Milton threw multiple passes in four other games. In that small sample size, he completed 19-of-24 pass attempts for 465 yards and five touchdowns. Including the South Carolina game and an incomplete hail mary before halftime against Alabama, Milton has earned an impressive 96.3 QBR. 

However, now, a new challenge approaches. Milton will be asked to lead Tennessee over a surging Vanderbilt team in his first start of the season. This won’t be his first start as a Vol, though. 

In the 2021 campaign, Milton was named the starter heading into the season. He held this role until midway through a matchup with Pittsburgh in Week 2 before getting injured. As a starter, he struggled with accuracy but still threw for 189 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

Previous to his time at Tennessee, Milton also gained experience as a starter at Michigan. He started five games in 14 appearances as a Wolverine. In his limited playtime, the 6-foot-5 245 lb quarterback has flexed his talent of launching the ball down the field. He’s struggled to harness his arm in the past, but this season he’s shown an ability to parlay his strength with accuracy. This improvement gives the team optimism going forward.

“Joe (Milton) has grown a bunch,” Heupel said. “You guys have seen the way that he’s played when he’s been given the opportunity. He’s got really good command of what we’re doing. We don’t change what we do. He’ll be ready to go in this one.”

With Hooker out for the season and 4-star freshman Tayven Jackson unavailable, Milton is the only healthy scholarship roster at quarterback. Gaston Moore is listed as the backup in case Milton is forced to exit the game against Vanderbilt.

Milton’s first start of the season will double as the Vols’ regular-season finale. Tennessee will travel to Nashville to take on the Commodores at 7:30 EST on Saturday. The game will air on SECN.