Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III has unsurprisingly made some jaw-dropping throws at various times this offseason, with the most recent occasion coming at the Manning Passing Academy.
Milton launched a 70+ yard pass with the all-time great VFL Peyton Manning watching behind him. Milton’s throw at the MPA blew up across social media, and with week one just over 50 days away, the hype for Milton’s final collegiate season is at an all-time high.
But for a guy who has underwhelmed once before as a starter at Tennessee, is all the preseason buzz a good thing?
We all know how the saying goes: ‘Any publicity is good publicity.’ So, yes, the fact Milton and Tennessee football are at the top of many minds is always a good thing for the brand.
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There are two important things to consider when answering this question: the fans’ expectations and Milton’s mindset.
The former should not be an issue. Tennessee fans saw Milton win the starting QB job over Hendon Hooker in 2021, where the former Michigan Wolverine struggled in one-and-a-half games with several overthrows and ugly sacks.
After an injury in the Pitt game in Week 2, Hooker came in, dazzled, and the rest is history.
No matter how optimistic the most optimistic true Vol fan is out there regarding Milton’s potential this season, every Tennessee fan know that Milton has a decently low floor, meaning the expectations are not astronomical.
Therefore, a poor season from Milton would not be a massive shocker to the Volunteer faithful.
As for Milton’s mindset, there’s always a concern with players, especially at the college level, that all the outside can get into a player’s head, especially ones who have never consistently played at the level they’re expected to (such as Milton in 2023).
But Milton is not a freak freshman everyone is drooling over. He is a 23-year-old entering his sixth and final season of collegiate eligibility. This is his last chance.
Throw in the fact that this year is also a second chance for Milton, I have a hard time believing Milton is going to get too caught up in the outside noise.
For more on if the preseason buzz around Joe Milton is a good or bad thing for Tennessee, check out the latest High & Tight, presented by Gambuzza’s Barbershop.
Is all the Joe Milton preseason hype and attention a good or bad thing? #Vols@gambuzzasknox pic.twitter.com/ARE720WDW8
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) July 10, 2023
