Joe Milton III gave the Dallas Cowboys exactly the kind of preseason performance that turns heads and forces a conversation.
The former Tennessee quarterback, who spent three seasons with the Volunteers, made his mark in Dallas’ win over the Arizona Cardinals. Milton completed 9 of 13 passes for 179 yards and threw three touchdowns, a strong showing as he continues his push to win the backup job behind Dak Prescott.
That’s the kind of outing that matters this time of year. Preseason is all about players on the edge of the roster trying to separate themselves, and Milton did that against Arizona. He looked like a quarterback determined to prove he belongs, and that he can be more than just a camp arm.
At Tennessee, Milton spent time both as Hendon Hooker’s backup and as a starter. The two shared the field in different stretches because injuries forced each of them into bigger roles at various points. Now they’re both in the NFL, but on different paths, with Hooker with the Tennessee Titans and Milton trying to carve out his place in Dallas.
Milton’s arm talent was on display during his time under Josh Heupel at UT, and that same trait is what keeps giving him a chance at the next level. He has the tools. What he needs is opportunity, and performances like this one help him make his case.
Hooker and Milton have both had to fight through injuries and uncertainty, and both have spent time with NFL teams beyond their current spots. Hooker has also been with the Detroit Lions and other teams in the league, while Milton previously spent time with the New England Patriots.
For Tennessee fans, both quarterbacks are familiar names for a reason. Each gave the Volunteers real moments, real effort, and a real reason to believe they could make it in the NFL. Milton’s latest preseason breakout was another reminder that he’s still pushing to turn that promise into a lasting role.
In Other News...
Tennessee Fans Need To Know Neylands New Game Day Plan
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is rolling out a new traffic and parking setup around Neyland Stadium this fall, aiming to make football game days run a little smoother and a little safer. Fans who already have parking passes will be directed along designated routes and can also use shuttle options, while those without passes are being steered toward downtown parking and shuttle service instead of driving straight into the stadium area.
For Volunteers fans, the bigger change may be the amount of planning now required before kickoff. Several roads will be closed on game days, and the university is increasing police presence to help manage the flow of traffic around the stadium. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes adjustment that can make a long Saturday feel less chaotic, even if it means a different routine for anyone used to the old Neyland approach. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Is Finally Taking On Neylands Biggest Gameday Frustration
For years, one of the most familiar complaints around Neyland Stadium has had nothing to do with what happens between the lines. Tennessee Athletics, working with local partners, has now developed and tested new gameday traffic patterns that are set to go into place beginning with the 2026 football season opener, a move designed to make the trip to and from South Knoxville feel a lot less like a test of patience.
The plan spells out designated routes for fans with parking passes and gives guidance for those without them, while police and consultants will help manage traffic more aggressively on the back end to improve departures after events. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes fix that usually only gets noticed when it works, but for a stadium experience as big as Neylands, smoothing out the bottlenecks could end up mattering as much to fans as anything on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Freshman Gabriel Osenda Is Giving Vols Hope And A New Worry
Gabriel Osenda arrived in Knoxville in January and has spent preseason doing the kind of work that gets a young offensive tackle noticed quickly. The Tennessee freshman has been taking reps at both left and right tackle, and line coach Glen Elarbee has already put him in the same conversation as current starter Jesse Perry, which tells you how seriously the staff views his long-term upside.
The flip side is the part Tennessee has to watch closely. Osenda recently dealt with a lower-body injury severe enough to leave him in a walking boot and on crutches after the Vols first scrimmage, a reminder that promising linemen can go from intriguing depth piece to roster concern in a hurry. For Tennessee, the hope is obvious - a young tackle who could push for a starting job down the line - but so is the worry about how much time he can spend on the practice field between now and the opener. [Read more 🡒]