Can Joe Milton III Be the Next Big Thing in College Football?

Looking forward to the 2023-2024 college football season, there is a litany of quarterbacks who could potentially steal the spotlight of the college football world. However, none of them, in my opinion, are as intriguing as Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III. He has all the tools required to become a dominant force this season. With his incredible arm strength, size, and mobility, he has the potential to elevate the Tennessee offense to new heights and capture the attention of football fans across the nation.

After spending three years at Michigan, Joe Milton III decided to transfer to Tennessee, seeking a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his talent on a new stage. Joe Milton III served as the backup quarterback to Hendon Hooker. However, due to an ACL injury to Hooker, Milton was called upon to take the reins as the starting quarterback for the last two games of the year.
On the season, Milton III threw for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns, and zero interceptions, according to Sports Reference. Tennessee has the potential to witness the blossoming of a true superstar under center.

Strengths

One of the first things you’ll notice about Milton’s game is his arm strength. I am usually not hyperbolic, but he might have the strongest arm that I’ve ever seen. He is rumored to be able to throw the ball over 90 yards. The velocity he can create allows him to make tight-window throws that other quarterbacks wouldn’t dare to make. With this kind of arm talent, he can single-handedly change the dynamics of a game, and his deep ball threat can stretch any defense to its limits.

Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 244lbs, Joe Milton III towers over most defenders, giving him a clear vantage point to completely survey the field. He is cut from the same cloth as players like Josh Allen and Cam Newton. He is truly a specimen at the quarterback position. But it’s not just his height that sets him apart; his athleticism and mobility are also assets that make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

While he isn’t the same caliber of athlete as someone like Florida’s Anthony Richardson last season, he certainly has the ability to threaten defenses as a runner. Milton’s mobility allows him to extend plays with his legs, evade pass rushers, and opens up the full playbook for plays like read options and quarterback draws. His combination of size, athleticism, and mobility makes him a tough matchup for any defense to face.

Weaknesses

Like any rising star, Joe Milton III is not without his flaws. His accuracy, particularly on intermediate throws, has been inconsistent at times. To take the next step and become the dominant force he aspires to be, Milton III must refine his mechanics, work on his timing, and become a more reliable passer at all three levels. If he can learn to get the ball out quicker, he has the ability to be one of the most unstoppable quarterbacks in college football of the last few years.

As the 2023-2024 college football season approaches, all eyes will be on Joe Milton III. The expectations are high, and the pressure is undoubtedly mounting on Milton III. Luckily, his unique skill set, combined with the right coaching and support, can set the stage for a standout season for the Volunteers.

Milton III has a chance to make a statement to the college football world. As he refines his mechanics and improves his accuracy, he has the potential to be a difference-maker for Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to success and drawing the attention of football enthusiasts everywhere.

As the new season begins, Joe Milton III has the opportunity to seize the spotlight and emerge as the next big thing in college football. If he can refine his mechanics, and improve his accuracy, he has the potential to put his name in the Heisman finalist conversation. The stage is set, and the world waits to witness the rise of Joe Milton III.