Getty Image
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers is getting blasted by college football fans over his recent comments about the upcoming season. The brother of Aaron Rodgers recently gave his opinion on the most talented passer in the NCAA.
That player wasn’t last year’s Heisman winner Caleb Williams or potential No. 1 overall pick Drake Maye. Instead, it was a signal caller that started sparingly in the ’22 campaign.
That player is Joe Milton III.
The Tennessee Volunteers broke out last season, winning 11 games and capping the year with an Orange Bowl win over Clemson. Milton was the starting quarterback in that final matchup against the Tigers, one of two starts on the year.
He transferred to Tennessee from Michigan in 2021, but ultimately ceded the starting job to Hendon Hooker. Part of that arose from injury and part from inconsistency, the same inconsistency that showed throughout his time in Ann Arbor.
While his ceiling is high due to having maybe the strongest arm in the nation, his inability to throw on target has hindered his college career. Over five NCAA seasons, Milton’s completed just 57.6% of his attempts, including just 51.6% in his first year with the Vols.
He bounced back last year with a career-best 64.6% completion percentage, his only collegiate campaign above the 60% mark.
Hendon Hooker is now off to the NFL, and Milton is the favorite to replace the two-year starter in Knoxville. Jordan Rodgers believes that he’ll fill in quite nicely.
Jordan Rodgers anticipates a huge season for Joe Milton III.
.@JRodgers11 believes Joe Milton is heading for a big year for @Vol_Football 🍊
Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/cQOzeC8klv
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 24, 2023
“Joe Milton is hands down the most talented QB in the entire country,” Rodgers claimed. “It’s not even close.”
The talent is certainly there, and Tennessee fans got an early glimpse of what he’s capable of under center last year. When Hooker went down with an injury late in the season, Milton filled in admirably.
The Vols went 2-0 in his starts, landing wins over Vanderbilt and Clemson. Still, he completed just 52.4% of his passes in that lone SEC start against a Vandy defense that allowed 36 points per game.
His showing against the Tigers was much better as he tossed three touchdowns and threw for a season-high 251 yards. He also ended the year with a 10-to-0 touchdown to interception ratio, which has to give Tennessee fans hope for the future.
Still, not many are agreeing with Jordan Rodgers’ take that he’s the most talented passer in the country.
Most immediately pointed to last year’s Heisman trophy winner.
Caleb Williams says otherwise
— Chase Wilson (@offworldnexus) July 24, 2023
Others looked east at Drake Maye, another potential No. 1 overall pick.
Yeah he may end up having a good year but thinking he is more talented than Williams and Drake Maye is wild.
— Jed Keel (@keel_jed) July 24, 2023
Some fans are saving the tweet in hopes of embarrassing Jordan Rodgers for the take later in the year.
Bookmarking this take because it will be FREEZING COLD come December 😂
— Splash (@JSp1ash) July 24, 2023
Milton will get a chance to prove Rodgers right in 2023. The Vols open the year against Virginia in Nashville as they look to replicate the results from last season.