Ranking the projected starting quarterbacks in the SEC for 2023

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Dec 30, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) looks on after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Joe Milton, Tennessee

After a late-season injury to Hendon Hooker, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Joe Milton took over at quarterback for Tennessee. Hendon Hooker, the former Tennessee and now Detroit Lions quarterback, has full confidence in his replacement.

In the two games that Milton started last year, he led the Vols to a commanding 56-0 victory over Vanderbilt and followed that up by throwing for three touchdowns in a 31-14 win over Clemson at the Orange Bowl.

Tennessee landed one of the best prospects in the 2023 high school recruiting class in quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who some believed might contend with Milton for playing time as soon as he arrived on campus. However, Milton outperformed Iamaleava in the spring game and has real-game experience under his belt – two solid performances at the end of the Vols’ 2022 campaign.

Milton, a sixth-year senior, who transferred to Tennessee from Michigan in 2021, should get his first crack at leading the offense and is expected to capitalize on the opportunity.

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