It feels good to be back among the elite

[Boone&Crockett]

I know Hendon got snubbed but for us to have a QB in the conversation for Heisman at all is awesome, let alone a Biletnikoff winner this year and all the accolades for Coach Heupel, what makes it even better? We have a 5 star stud QB coming in, we have talented receivers and help in the secondary coming, the transfer portal is just changing the game in regards to getting good players in a program quickly, I think its safe to say we are going to be in the top 5 in offense every year with Heupel at the helm, we will have players in the conversation for these awards and more every year and just knowing that feels so dang good.

 

[CAVPUT]

Yep and that's why I'm concerned about the QB position and Milton. We need to keep the momentum going. Really hope he's the second coming of Hooker but just can't help but think that's fools gold and wishful thinking.

 

[volfan2024]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

 

[salsahound]

Yep and that's why I'm concerned about the QB position and Milton. We need to keep the momentum going. Really hope he's the second coming of Hooker but just can't help but think that's fools gold and wishful thinking.

I disagree. Milton could put his time in offseason and make the same advancements Hyatt made. He CAN throw that thing, he's tall and can see over defense, he's pretty fast if he has to run and seems to want to get better. The difference in last year and this year was notable. Make that same amount of improvement and he could be 1st round, especially if Hyatt returns.

 

[#1fulmerite]

I disagree. Milton could put his time in offseason and make the same advancements Hyatt made. He CAN throw that thing, he's tall and can see over defense, he's pretty fast if he has to run and seems to want to get better. The difference in last year and this year was notable. Make that same amount of improvement and he could be 1st round, especially if Hyatt returns.

We have seen him continuously over throw receivers for two years now and will never forget that skip out of bounds last year.

If he is the starter from the beginning to the end of next season, our record may reflect JG’s record.

 

[whobethis16]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

Martin had an elite defense to counter his <60% completion percentage. I highly doubt a comparable showing by Milton with a similar defense to this year will produce that same result.

That is not to say I don't think he could produce better than that and be the guy, but rather just refuting the Tee Martin comparison.

 

[amstelman]

Seems every time a positive ship is launched, we have to ensure it starts taking on water.

Cautious optimism lies at the waterline.

On the subject of football, I also see no reason why Milton's game cannot improve over the offseason!

Hope floats!

 

[njvols]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

It's not off season yet so can't bring out the orange colored glasses yet! HA. Tee had a stacked D though...and Milton won't. If Milton plays to his potential, even if not to Hooker standard, I still think we are a 9ish win team. Eventually, it's all about collective momentum. We keep bumping along at 9-10 wins and recruiting to that, eventually, we'll break thru to challenge UGA and Bama for SEC crown. I do have to say I agree w/ OP...and why I'm not too torn up about the SC loss...we are 10-2 and beat Bama, UF, LSU, KY...I'd have taken this in a heartbeat in preseason if you told me this is where we'd be...even w/ bad SC loss. We are on our way, and for second year in a row, JH has won some sort of coaching award...which I think helps build continuity of the program.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

I think Milton could fall short of Heisman contender Hooker performance, but still be in the top 3rd of SEC Qbs, giving us a chance to win against any opponent. I could see him giving us numerous short-falling plays of "Awww ..." but also just as much or more moments of "Wow!" Having said all that, he may not even be the best Qb on our roster, we will know more after Spring practice and the first few games of next season. I trust Heupel to coach 'em up, and make any necessary changes.

 

[DC_Vol]

We have seen him continuously over throw receivers for two years now and will never forget that skip out of bounds last year.

If he is the starter from the beginning to the end of next season, our record may reflect JG’s record.

Not even close.

 

[O.G.HomeGrownUTVOL]

We have seen him continuously over throw receivers for two years now and will never forget that skip out of bounds last year.

If he is the starter from the beginning to the end of next season, our record may reflect JG’s record.

I don't know what's worse, Your screen name or the garbage you spew from your mouth.

 

[PACKERVOL]

I don't know what's worse, Your screen name or the garbage you spew from your mouth.

Agree with you 100%.

 

[Wezcoast]

I think we'll be more run heavy next year , and that's good all the way around. Milton's good enough on deep bombs to keep DCs from cheating . We could be even more explosive than this year .

 

[Boone&Crockett]

Yep and that's why I'm concerned about the QB position and Milton. We need to keep the momentum going. Really hope he's the second coming of Hooker but just can't help but think that's fools gold and wishful thinking.

I wouldnt worry too much, I kinda think were gonna get a pickup in the portal, if it is a high profile guy then I can about guarantee he will be the starter next year, after that Nico will be ready and it should be some fun during his time here.

 

[Boone&Crockett]

We have seen him continuously over throw receivers for two years now and will never forget that skip out of bounds last year.

If he is the starter from the beginning to the end of next season, our record may reflect JG’s record.

I dont think it would be that bad but I also think someone from the portal is starter next year.

 

[DaddyChad]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

He has the Orange Bowl.

 

[WilcoVolsFan]

 

[Zues1]

Yep and that's why I'm concerned about the QB position and Milton. We need to keep the momentum going. Really hope he's the second coming of Hooker but just can't help but think that's fools gold and wishful thinking.

He's been a team player, has done what's been ask of him.
I say we let coach work his magic, apparently he believes in him.

 

[LadyVolette]

Not even close.

I have way more faith in Milton than I did in JG lol.. I don’t know what some people were watching, but he looked dang good to me against a Vandy team that could have probably beaten us some years in the past if we’re being real

 

[beachvol23]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

Revisionist history has nothing to do with how a player will perform. We already know what we have in Milton.

 

[Grouse Stalker]

Define Elite.

The program has taken a positive step forward under Heupel, but Bill Battle and Doug Dickey both still have higher winning percentages as the head coach of the Vols.

 

[Boone&Crockett]

Define Elite.

The program has taken a positive step forward under Heupel, but Bill Battle and Doug Dickey both still have higher winning percentages as the head coach of the Vols.

It means we are one of a handful of teams that was in the running for the National Championship, it means we have players winning National Awards, it means we have players in the Heisman conversation, It means we have the No. 1 offense in the nation, that seems like a team worthy of being considered elite.

 

[Mccage]

I think we really just need one thread title for the whole football board....called Joe Milton!

 

[YankeeVol]

As far as Milton is concerned I recall Tee Martin stepping up the next year winning it all after Peyton left so gotta give the guy a chance

If the defense wasn’t atrocious, I’d be right there with you.

 

[Fightmaker]

I disagree. Milton could put his time in offseason and make the same advancements Hyatt made. He CAN throw that thing, he's tall and can see over defense, he's pretty fast if he has to run and seems to want to get better. The difference in last year and this year was notable. Make that same amount of improvement and he could be 1st round, especially if Hyatt returns.

Let’s just get it right, Milton has EVERYTHING necessary to be the best QB in the country. If he can sort it out, no one can touch him. I’ve been the biggest capital D when it comes to Milton, and justifiably, but he has it folks..he does. If he can put it together between his ears, he will shatter records. Let’s hope he figures it out.