ESPN Names Joe Milton III as "Most Important Player In CFP Race"

ESPN named Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III as the most important player in the upcoming CFP race. What exactly does this entail?

Recently, ESPN made a top ten list of the most important players in college football as teams begin the chase to earn a national championship. No. 1 on that list was none other than Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III.

This makes sense in many ways because Milton is surrounded by lots of support that can help him get the Vols to the playoff for the first time since its inaugural year back in 2014. He has a deep stable of running backs with him in the backfield, arguably an even deeper receiving core, and all of his offensive linemen are seniors across the line of scrimmage. So, ESPN is partially correct in saying that Milton is the most important player in this college football playoff race. His performances can make Tennessee the best offensive team in football, thus putting them in a position to compete for a national title.

He has all the support he needs to accomplish this and the quarterback talent to do so. His great ability to sit in the pocket patiently and throw downfield with such force sets up Tennessee receivers known for going deep. Last season, Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, and Squirrel White all had season-long catches of 50 yards or more.

Milton had many people on social media stirring about how far he could throw the football. In a viral video, the Tennessee quarterback threw it an alleged 85 yards. This could be nightmarish for opposing secondaries the Volunteers will face this upcoming season. Milton's ability to harness that throwing power into accuracy will be the key. He showed flashes of consistent accuracy last year with a 65% completion rate in 82 passing attempts. But it will be a question of whether or not he can carry that out for a full season.

Tennessee QB Joe Milton III during fall camp in Knoxville, Tennessee, on August 7, 2023. (Photo by Brianna Paciorka of the News Sentinel)

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