Saturday’s matchup against Alabama in Tuscaloosa is a big one for Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton. The senior’s draft stock figures to be heavily influenced by how well Milton performs against a very impressive Crimson Tide defense on the road.
Milton has had an interesting season for the Volunteers. The physical tools are incredible, but the results have been a mixed bag thus far. He was great against Florida and UTSA, showing off the huge arm but also some refined accuracy and quick, effective processing of the defense. Games against Virginia, Texas A&M and South Carolina make Milton look more like a big, athletic project — which is concerning for a 23-year-old in his sixth college football season.
He still needs to be on watch lists and in consideration based on the 6-foot-5 frame, the rocket launcher of a right arm and the running ability that echoes Colts’ first-rounder Anthony Richardson. The NFL continually shows that it values the tantalizing athletic traits that Milton has aplenty.
If Milton has the kind of game against Alabama that predecessor Hendon Hooker had a year ago, expect to see Milton appearing in the middle rounds of mock drafts from now through the NFL scouting combine, at minimum. If the touch, the processing speed and the results aren’t there, it might be time to peg Milton in UDFA land for good.
