Tennessee will start Joe Milton III as quarterback for his opening game of the season against Bowling Green on Thursday night.
First-year coach Josh Heupel announced the decision during a press conference Monday and cited Milton’s skills and decision-making.
In April, Milton moved to Tennessee from Michigan, where he began last season as a starter before finally being invested.
In five appearances with the Wolverines, Milton completed 80 of 141 passes for 1,077 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Milton defeated Hendon Hooker, a former Virginia Tech footballer, and second-year student Harrison Bailey to be named the starter of Flights’ Week 1.
Asked if he could play two quarterbacks, Heupel said he believes “the strength of a position can never be a man.”
“Everyone has to prepare like the starter,” he added. “I anticipate Joe handing out the ball first and playing ass in a very good way.”
Heupel, who took over the program in January after three seasons as UCF head coach, said both Hooker and Bailey handled the decision “in a really positive way.”