Joe Milton’s Move to Dallas Could Stir Awkward Tensions Between Former Vols
Joe Milton III, the cannon-armed quarterback and former Tennessee Volunteer, is reportedly being traded to the Dallas Cowboys — a move that’s turning heads across both the NFL and Rocky Top communities. While the football world debates whether Milton can emerge as a legitimate NFL starter, Vols fans are focused on a different potential storyline: the reunion, or rather collision, of Milton and another Tennessee alum already in Dallas — wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
At first glance, having two former Vols on the same NFL roster seems like a feel-good story. But dig a little deeper, and there’s potential for awkwardness.
The Backstory
Milton and Hyatt were teammates at Tennessee during the 2022 season, but their connection on the field was, at best, lukewarm. Milton, who had transferred from Michigan, spent much of that season backing up Hendon Hooker, while Hyatt exploded onto the national stage, hauling in 15 touchdowns and winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver. Most of those scores came courtesy of Hooker — not Milton.
There were whispers around Knoxville that Hyatt preferred Hooker’s accuracy and touch, and that Milton’s inconsistent passing often left plays on the field. Though both players remained publicly supportive of one another, the chemistry just never fully clicked — and Hyatt’s decision to declare for the draft after 2022 only furthered speculation that he wasn’t eager to spend another season catching rockets from Milton.
Fast Forward to Dallas
Hyatt, after a solid rookie year with the Cowboys, has started carving out a role as a speedy downfield threat. Now, with Milton entering the mix — likely as a backup but potentially a future starter — there’s a chance the two will be thrown back together. And given the hyper-analyzed spotlight of the Dallas media market, any friction or miscommunication could be amplified tenfold.
Locker rooms are professional spaces, and it’s entirely possible that both players have grown since their Vols days. But personalities, preferences, and past frustrations don’t always disappear — especially when roles, playing time, or careers are on the line.
The Upside?
On the flip side, this could be the perfect reunion. If Milton has refined his accuracy and decision-making, and Hyatt is willing to rekindle their on-field chemistry, Dallas could benefit from the familiarity the two share. Few quarterbacks in the league can match Milton’s arm strength, and Hyatt’s elite speed could once again make him a deep-ball nightmare for defenses.
Bottom Line
Joe Milton to the Cowboys adds intrigue to an already headline-heavy franchise. But for fans of the Vols, this move isn’t just about X’s and O’s — it’s about whether two former teammates can put aside an awkward chapter in their shared history and turn it into a comeback story worth rooting for.
Stay tuned, Dallas — the Tennessee connection might just get spicy.
