Joe Milton III's Journey Resembles That of Anthony Richardson

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III is no stranger to lofty expectations. This time, he is on a similar trajectory as a first-round NFL Draft pick.

Many eyes from the college and professional landscapes were on Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson as he endured the NFL Draft process this offseason. Some wondered if he was worthy of a first-round grade at all. Others wondered if he was going to become the No. 1 pick. Ultimately, the athletic marvel had enough upside that even with an inconsistent 2022 season, he wound up being selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 overall pick.

That selection set a clear bar for Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III. You may ask what that has to do with Milton. The answer? The two are eerily similar in many ways, and even scouts are seeing it. According to multiple sources and NFL scouts, Milton is potentially the next Richardson.

Richardson measures out at 6-4 and 245 pounds, running a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He also has immense arm talent with a ton of downfield upside. Similarly, Milton stands 6-5 and 243 pounds. He ran a 4.8-second 40-yard dash at the 2018 Elite 11, though that number may be outdated. The real draw is Milton's arm, which is every bit as strong as Richardson's. Milton's sheer arm talent has wowed even Peyton Manning, one of the all-time NFL greats. The legendary signal-caller stated that a 40-yard throw takes "a flick of the wrist" for Milton. An NFL scouting director raved about said arm, calling it "one of the strongest football has ever seen."

Tennessee QB Joe Milton III at the Hendon Hooker Youth Football Camp on July 8

Not just the SEC. Not just the NCAA. Football as a whole. That physical profile is enough for many scouts to view Milton as a potential first-rounder in next year's draft. If the Vols continue on the uptick and perform in the fall, it will be hard for many teams to deny Milton. Even if he struggles at certain points, similarly to Richardson, the physical tools themselves may be enough to coax a front office into his potential. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel tends to maximize the quarterback position, and if he can get the most out of Milton, NFL evaluators would be hard-pressed to pass up on him, given recent draft history.

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