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The return of Hendon Hooker gives Tennessee major momentum entering Josh Heupel’s second season as head coach. The Vols’ settled on the Virginia Tech quarterback after the first two weeks of the season and it flipped the script of the season.
According to 247sports, Hooker ranks as the SEC’s third best quarterback entering the 2022 season. The 6-foot-3 super senior is behind defending Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Arkansas’ quarterback K.J. Jefferson.
“Hendon Hooker does not get the respect he deserves nationally,” the article says. “Behind closed doors, Tennessee’s coaching staff believes this guy is the key ingredient to bringing the Vols back to national prominence in 2022 as a top 25 team throughout the season. … If he stays healthy, Tennessee has a shot to upend several big-time opponents on the schedule if the defense is serviceable and Hooker’s not playing catch-up with his fellow offensive starters.”
Young is the no doubt best quarterback returning in the conference while Hooker and Jefferson posted very similar numbers last season.
Jefferson completed 67% of his passes for 2,676 yards, 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. The now-senior hit the ground running in his first year as a starter and proved to be useful with his legs too. The Arkansas’ quarterback totaled 664 yards and six touchdowns.
In 11 starts and 12 games of real playing time, Hooker completed 68% of his passes for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Virginia Tech transfer added 620 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Hooker’s 182.0 QBR was one of the highest marks in the entire country.
Immediately behind Hooker in the rankings is Mississippi State’s Will Rogers (4), South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler (5) and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett (6).
Tennessee will face the quarterbacks ranked first, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, thirteenth and fourteenth in the 247sports rankings.
The return of Hooker has outlets and analytics high on the Vols including Bill Connely’s S&P which has Tennessee as a top 10 team and top five offense in the country.
