One thing to remember about Hendon Hooker in the Heisman Trophy debate
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker likely isn't winning the Heisman Trophy this season. The Vols' loss to South Carolina combined with Hooker's torn ACL that kept him out of Tennessee's 56-0 win against Vanderbilt all but guarantees that the trophy will go to someone else. I still believe that Hooker, however, is deserving of consideration […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker likely isn't winning the Heisman Trophy this season.
The Vols' loss to South Carolina combined with Hooker's torn ACL that kept him out of Tennessee's 56-0 win against Vanderbilt all but guarantees that the trophy will go to someone else.
I still believe that Hooker, however, is deserving of consideration for the award. He led the Vols to massive wins against Florida, LSU, and Alabama. He only threw two interceptions while throwing 27 touchdowns.
Hooker's numbers this season weren't necessarily eye-popping — 3,135 passing yards, 27 passing touchdowns, 430 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns — but that was mostly due to the fact that Hooker didn't play in parts of the second half in several blowout wins.
There are plenty of arguments that can be made in favor of Hooker's Heisman candidacy.
But I think the best argument centers on Hooker's "Heisman moment".
Every year when the Heisman is being discussed, a player's "Heisman moment" is brought up.
In 2019, for example, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow had his Heisman moment in the SEC Championship game against Georgia.
Hooker had his Heisman moment — which was better than any other moment from a single player this season — in October when the Vols knocked off Alabama in Knoxville.
The Greensboro, NC native had just 15 seconds to move the ball 45 yards to get Tennessee into field goal range.
There was no room for error.
And Hooker executed his assignment…to perfection.
Patrick Mahomes couldn't have done it any better.
The Heisman shouldn't necessarily just come down to numbers. The award traditionally goes to a player who helped his team accomplish a special season.
Tennessee won't be in the playoff, but this season was still incredibly special for the Volunteers.
And Hooker had a large hand in making it special.
That's why he deserves to be a Heisman finalist. And it's why he deserves strong consideration for the award.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
