Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray has shocked some folks around the SEC world this week with a recent opinion on Tennessee football quarterback Joe Milton III.
Milton is primed to take over as Tennessee’s starting quarterback after spending the last two years on the bench learning under former superstar quarterback Hendon Hooker. Despite some deficiencies in his game in the past, though, Milton looks ready to finally step into the spotlight that he has been waiting for.
The 6-foot-5, 242-pound quarterback’s tank-like build and widely-documented rocket arm are two of the reasons why people have optimism about Milton’s game with Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel this fall.
One of those people is Aaron Murray.
During a recent appearance on SEC Sirius XM radio this week, Murray shared high praise for Milton.
“Joe’s the guy,” Murray said. “Joe is the most talented quarterback in America.”
“In America?” replied Murray’s co-host. “Did you just say in America?”
“He is the most talented, he is the most gifted quarterback in America,” Murray said while doubling down. “He is.”
Murray went on to explain the reasons that went into his statement.
“He has the best arm, he is extremely athletic,” Murray said. “I mean, the dude can dunk a basketball like it’s nothing. I’m watching pre-game last year, I had one of their games, and all the quarterbacks are doing all of this crazy stuff, having fun before the game. And [Joe] is jumping up, catching one-handers in the back of the endzone, dunking it over the damn goalpost, I mean he is a great athlete. And he’s a gigantic human being and can throw the ball 80-plus yards”
Even with the praise, though, Murray did pump the brakes and clarified a point or two when it comes to Milton being one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Murray also compared Milton to one of the most talked about names entering the 2023 NFL Draft at the end of this month, too.
“So, yeah, I think he is the most gifted quarterback in America, [but it] doesn’t make you the best quarterback,” Murray said. “Once again, Anthony Richardson is the most gifted quarterback right now heading into this draft, does not make him the best quarterback. Does not make them a for-sure NFL superstar.”
More from RTI: Nico Iamaleava Makes Tennessee Debut in the Orange & White Game
As of the conlcusion of the Orange & White Tennessee football spring game last Saturday in Knoxville, Joe Milton and the Volunteers are officially done with the spring camp slate. The Vols worked hard for a total of four weeks which included three scrimmages inside Neyland Stadium.
While he didn’t have any of Tennessee’s starting skill players to work with, Milton was still productive leading the first-team offense on Saturday. Milton ended the game 9-of-13 for 79 yards with a four-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Webb in the first half.
Highly-anticipated five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has received a lot of attention during the start of his career in Knoxville – and for good reason as the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2023. But it’s Milton, not Iamaleava, that is going to be Tennessee’s biggest x-factor coming up during the 2023 season.
Milton put together a solid game during the Capital One Orange Bowl against Clemson to end the 2022 season. Milton went 19-of-28 for 251 yards and added in three passing touchdowns en route to a 31-14 victory for the Volunteers. While Milton did show an improved overall skillset during that game against the Tigers, the Tennessee quarterback will need to continue to work hard this offseason to keep Tennessee as the No. 1 offense in the country.
“Just my game overall,” Milton said on Saturday about what he will be working on this summer. “Anything can be cleaned up. It can go from mental to physicality stuff, just everything. Just improve so Tennessee can be Tennessee.”
Check out the full conversation from Aaron Murray on Joe Milton III below.
Who is the most talented QB in college football heading into the 2023 season?@aaronmurray11 says it's @Vol_Football's Joe Milton. Is he right? pic.twitter.com/N6LOgDQ3F4
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) April 18, 2023
