ESPN names its midseason Heisman Trophy winner

There's still a lot of season left to play, but if the Heisman Trophy were awarded today, ESPN's Ryan McGee thinks Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker would win the award. McGee, one of the premier college football writers in the country, named Hooker as his "Peyton Manning October Heisman Award" winner this week. From ESPN: […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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There's still a lot of season left to play, but if the Heisman Trophy were awarded today, ESPN's Ryan McGee thinks Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker would win the award.

McGee, one of the premier college football writers in the country, named Hooker as his "Peyton Manning October Heisman Award" winner this week.

From ESPN:

No one ever had a bigger lead in the midseason Heisman Trophy race than the original Tennessee Sheriff did in 1997, but as we know now, Manning finished second in December, just as fellow Vols Hank Lauricella, Johnny Majors and Heath Shuler did before him. Hooker outdueled reigning stiff arm king Bryce Young in Neyland Stadium, but when the ballots are cast at season's end, Hooker will still have to overcome Vols' Heisman history and also the recent history of guys winning the game but losing the trophy. See: Deshaun Watson vs. Lamar Jackson (Clemson 42, Louisville 36 in 2016). Then again, Hooker and his team would 100% take Watson's '16 consolation prize right now. Celebrating a natty in January.

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Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

As evidenced by the name of McGee's "award", it doesn't really matter what folks think in October.

Hooker has put himself in a good position to win the award, but he has to stay healthy and continue playing at a high level.

The Vols need to continue winning, too.

Before the season started, the consensus was that Hooker would be a Heisman finalist only if Tennessee was at least a 10-win team.

10 wins seem all but guaranteed at this point for Tennessee (they're looking to go 15-0). The games, however, still have to be played.

Maybe Hooker will break through and bring the award to Knoxville. Regardless of what happens, though, he's going to go down as one of the greatest Vols ever. And maybe he'll bring a national championship to Tennessee.

Featured image via USA TODAY SPORTS

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