How Joe Milton can become a factor in Josh Heupel’s offense

How Joe Milton can become a factor in Josh Heupel’s offense.

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton is set to arrive at Tennessee.

The 6-foot-5, 243-pound quarterback can become a factor for Tennessee this season in various situations of Josh Heupel’s offense with his skill set.

In Heupel’s spread-iso offense, tight ends are used in a variety of ways to provide rushing success. Rushing success works hand-in-hand with the passing game, whether it be vertical attempts using wide splits or shallow concepts.

Heupel’s offense features a tight end in a sniffer set.

When playing against a four down defense, an even front, a sniffer allows for an angle on the inside of a zone-gap scheme.

Tight ends also provide success against an odd front.

Against an odd front, a tight end on the wing against a 3-3 stack or a 3-4 look, can force a 9-technique, who is unaccounted for in the C gap, to have a body in front of them.

A 9-technique is a speed pass rusher who aligns outside of the offensive tackle. The purpose of a 9-technique is to get to the quarterback and create a presence in the backfield.

The offense can now run power, inside-trap or counter with multiple double-team blockers. The quarterback can also keep the ball after reading the defense. As a ball-carrier, Milton’s size can become an issue for defenders to tackle him in the second and third levels.

The Michigan transfer is a similar size to Cam Newton playing at Auburn (6-foot-6, 250-pounds) and Tim Tebow with Florida (6-foot-3, 245-pounds). Both had success running the ball in schemes that catered to their size in the Southeastern Conference.

Nov 28, 2020; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Joe Milton (5) rushes against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Milton also has the ability to move the ball in a quarterback power-read when the frontside of the offensive line is down-blocking, while the backside guard pulls into the hole.

His size allows for him to be productive in quarterback counter plays using 2×1 sets with a tight end being featured as a blocking H-back. These sets are ideal in short-yardage and red zone opportunities.

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