National media outlet thinks Hendon Hooker is a real Heisman contender
To the surprise of many, it looks like Tennessee fans aren't the only ones that have noticed how good UT quarterback Hendon Hooker is. We're all used to national media degrading and mocking Vols football but Saturday's win at Pittsburgh, and Hooker's performance in the game, apparently turned some heads. On3.com's Matt Zenitz published his […]
To the surprise of many, it looks like Tennessee fans aren't the only ones that have noticed how good UT quarterback Hendon Hooker is. We're all used to national media degrading and mocking Vols football but Saturday's win at Pittsburgh, and Hooker's performance in the game, apparently turned some heads.
On3.com's Matt Zenitz published his "Heisman hot board" on Tuesday and Hooker found his way onto the list. Hooker wasn't number one because, unsurprisingly, Alabama's Bryce Young holds that position. But Hooker is the number five player in line for the Heisman Trophy after week 2, according to Zenitz. The ranking also noted that Hooker "has led Tennessee to wins in two of its past three games against top-20 opponents dating to last season." Georgia's Stetson Bennett was the only other SEC QB to make the shortlist in addition to Hooker and Young. If you want to see the full ranking, click here.
Hooker posted 325 yards passing, 25 yards rushing, and two touchdowns in the Vols' big victory over Pitt. He's accounted for 546 yards through the air and 4 total touchdowns through two games in 2022.
And perhaps the best news from the weekend is that Hooker's numbers were very solid and the Big Orange secured a victory against Pittsburgh and in reality, Hooker didn't even play anywhere near his full potential. Hooker struggled to find a consistent rhythm at times and had a couple of overthrows and yet he still put a performance that national analysts considered Heisman-worthy. Just think what could happen if Hooker fully locks in during the coming games.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
