Tennessee’s 2027 quarterback commit Derrick Baker spent his senior season with plenty to prove, and through three games he’s answered a lot of the noise with production, poise, and a skill set that jumps off the film.
That’s a sharp turn from where things stood not long ago. Baker had barely seen varsity action at St.
Thomas Aquinas, spending his first two high school seasons as the backup. After transferring to Milton High School, he then got derailed by an injury in his first game last year and missed the rest of the season.
So when he stepped back onto the field, there were real questions about what he’d look like after such a long layoff.
The answer has been pretty loud.
In his first game back after a year away, Baker showed the kind of dual-threat ability that makes him such an intriguing Tennessee commit. He ripped off a long run after breaking multiple North Cobb tackle attempts, and he kept flashing the same trait over and over: calm under pressure.
Instead of rushing into mistakes, he escaped trouble, bought time, and either tucked it and ran or found an open receiver. The rust was still there - he finished 13-for-23 for 192 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions - but he still delivered the play that mattered most, scoring the game-winning two-point conversion with 12 seconds left on a quarterback power to help the Eagles beat their rivals for the first time in 36 years.
The Blessed Trinity game may have been his roughest outing of the four, but even that performance had plenty to like. Baker was facing a defense loaded with power four prospects, including five-star Ohio State commit DJ Jacobs, and he still made enough throws to keep Milton in it.
His lone touchdown pass came on a tight-window throw that he placed right in the breakbasket of his covered receiver. He also showed the same poise he’d displayed in his first game back, helping Milton rally without forcing throws in panic mode.
The game wasn’t clean - he turned it over twice - but his best moment came in the second quarter when he spun out of a sack, reset, and uncorked a 48-yard pass downfield for a huge gain. It wasn’t his sharpest night, but the arm talent was obvious.
Then came the explosion against Cambridge.
Baker put together a record night against his cross-town rivals, throwing five touchdown passes in under three quarters. The arm strength and accuracy were on full display, especially on a 57-yard touchdown where he hit his receiver in stride.
He also delivered on a fourth down in Cambridge territory, standing in while taking contact and firing a strike over the middle for a touchdown. The five scores tied a Milton record for most in a game, matching current Miami quarterback Luke Nickel.
Against Tennessee powerhouse Battle Ground Academy, Baker showed off another part of his game: toughness. He rushed for over 100 yards and took on a bigger role after Milton’s starting running back was controversially ejected.
One of the clearest examples of his strength came on a designed quarterback run, when multiple defenders met him at the line and he still powered ahead, carrying bodies with him for a 17-yard gain. He completed 12 passes in the game, threw three touchdowns, and also had an interception.
There were throws he probably wanted back, along with a couple that should have gone for touchdowns if his receiver’s feet had stayed in bounds.
The tools are easy to see. Baker’s running ability forces defenses to account for him on every snap, and his arm is plenty strong for his age. If he’s developed the right way, the ceiling is high.
The concerns are there too. At times, his instinct to escape the pocket can get him into trouble, and he can leave the ball exposed while trying to extend plays - something that showed up against Blessed Trinity. He’ll also occasionally challenge coverage with throws that might work against a high school defensive back but could be a much different story against SEC defenders.
Even with those flaws, Baker’s biggest trait may be the one that matters most. In conversations with him, his discipline stands out.
In a recruiting era where a lot of players chase money and early playing time, Baker has embraced the grind. He understands Tennessee may not be a quick path to the field, and that doesn’t scare him off.
He wants the competition, welcomes coaching, and doesn’t seem interested in shortcuts. That mindset is a big reason he’s such a compelling prospect, and why Tennessee can look at him as a potential future starter.
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Now healthy again, Miller is expected to be on the field when Kennesaw State meets his old program, adding a little extra intrigue to a matchup that already carries the usual feel of an early-season tuneup. For Tennessee, it is one more reminder that roster movement can circle back quickly, and for Miller it is a chance to revisit the place where his college career started, only this time from the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]
Neylands New Entry Plan Puts Tennessee Fans On The Clock
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The timing fits a venue that already looks and sounds different from seasons past. Neyland now has a new sound system, a widened concourse and ongoing construction tied to the 865 Neyland entertainment district, which means Volunteers fans are navigating a stadium experience that is still very much in transition. For now, the biggest variable may be how quickly everyone adjusts to the new entry plan once the gates open. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Loaded 2027 Class May Not Be Done Adding Yet
Tennessees 2027 recruiting class already looks crowded, with 19 commitments and a core that includes names such as David Gabriel-Georges, Kesean Bowman and Malik Howard. Even at this stage, the Vols have managed to build real momentum with a group that has drawn attention for both its size and its talent, and the staff is still making sure it stays active on the trail while the class continues to take shape.
One of the latest moves came with a scholarship offer to Joshua Lane, a three-star defensive line prospect who is currently committed to Memphis but has been on the radar of multiple programs. It is another sign that Tennessee is still evaluating ways to add to an already loaded group, and with several recruits turning heads in recent performances, the possibility of more movement in the class is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]