Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws the ball during the NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt on Saturday, November 25, 2023 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee QB Joe Milton III opts out, Vols to start freshman

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III has opted out of the Citrus Bowl game against Iowa on New Year’s Day, leaving 5-star true freshman Nico Iamaleava to make the start under center for the Volunteers.

Milton announced his decision Tuesday on social media to skip the bowl and begin preparation for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Milton threw for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns against five interceptions this season. He rushed for another 299 yards and seven scores. He finishes his six-year collegiate career with 5,353 passing yards and 37 TDs for Michigan (2018-20) and Tennessee. He added 12 rushing TDs.

The 6-foot-6 Iamaleava was the No. 2 overall prospect in the Class of 2023, according to the 247Sports composite ranking. He has appeared in four games this season, throwing for 163 yards and a TD.

The 21st-ranked Volunteers (8-4) play No. 17 Iowa (10-3) on Monday afternoon in Orlando.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.

Kns Ut Football Practice Bp

Transfer Joe Milton to start opener at QB for Tennessee

Michigan transfer Joe Milton will open the season as the starting quarterback for Tennessee.

New Volunteers coach Josh Heupel made the announcement Monday but said he wasn’t prepared to name a backup.

Tennessee opens the season Thursday against Bowling Green in Knoxville.

Milton had been vying with former Virginia Tech starter Hendon Hooker and Harrison Bailey, a top quarterback prospect in the 2020 class, for the starting job.

While Hooker and Bailey were with the Volunteers in the spring, Milton didn’t transfer to Tennessee until the summer session.

“He’s really done a good job, really a great job of fitting in, adjusting, learning, growing,” Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh said Wednesday. “He spent a bunch of time in May, June, July learning the system. He’s a football-smart young man. He’s played in games that matter. For him, it’s just been a terminology, a progression, a read.”

The 6-foot-5 Milton started the season opener for Michigan last year in a 49-24 win against Minnesota but was benched in their fourth game, against Wisconsin, as the Wolverines’ COVID-shortened season spiraled out of control. He also battled through a thumb injury.

Last season, Milton completed 56.7 percent of his passes for 1,077 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. A redshirt junior, he has three seasons of eligibility left, gaining a year because of COVID-19 exemptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Joe Milton (5) throws the ball against Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Mike Tverdov (97) and defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour (99) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Ex-Michigan QB Joe Milton headed to Tennessee

Oct 11, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Former Michigan quarterback Joe Milton has transferred to Tennessee, multiple outlets reported Monday.

While new coach Josh Heupel hasn’t confirmed the move, Tennessee-focused website Volquest confirmed he is listed in the school’s student directory. He is expected to begin classes during the summer semester.

Milton is a graduate transfer but has three years of eligibility remaining. He announced his decision to enter the transfer portal in February on Twitter.

Milton was named the Wolverines starter for 2020 before being replaced by Cade McNamara for the final two games of the season. Milton completed 56.7 percent of his passes for 1,077 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Michigan finished 2-4 last season.

The Volunteers were 3-7 and fired coach Jeremy Pruitt after the season following an investigation into allegations of recruiting improprieties. The quarterback position never was settled in 2020, with Pruitt using five quarterbacks, each of whom appeared in four or more games.

Jarrett Guarantano, who took most of the snaps for Tennessee last season, transferred to Washington State, and JT Shrout moved on to Colorado. Still, with the addition of Milton, Tennessee’s quarterback room would be a who’s who of former standout high school players, including returnees Harrison Bailey and Brian Maurer, and Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker.

The 6-foot-5 Milton, who is from Florida, was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2018.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Joe Milton (5) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan QB Joe Milton enters transfer portal

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton has entered the transfer portal as a graduate and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

The third-year player took to Twitter to announce his decision.

“I want to thank Coach [Jim] Harbaugh for giving me that opportunity to come play for a program with lots of tradition,” Milton posted, in part.

Milton was named the starter for the 2020 season before being replaced by Cade McNamara for the final two games of the season. Milton completed 56.7 percent of his passes for 1,077 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

As a grad transfer, Milton will be able to play immediately. Milton had not used his redshirt season yet and the NCAA granted an extra year, giving Milton three.

Michigan finished 2-4.

Milton is the second quarterback to transfer from the program since last fall. Dylan McCaffrey opted out of the 2020 season and since transferred to Northern Colorado, where he’ll play for his father, former NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey.

The Wolverines have three scholarship quarterbacks: McNamara, redshirt freshman Dan Villari and incoming freshman J.J. McCarthy. An Illinois native, McCarthy was a five-star prospect in the Class of 2021, ranked as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and the No. 24 overall player in the nation by the 247Sports composite.

–Field Level Media