Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after dominating in the Vols’, 38-33, win over No. 20 Florida. Hooker wasn’t the only Vol to earn weekly honors as right guard Javontez Spraggins is the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
The Vols have played two power five opponents in the first four weeks of the season and Hooker has earned the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award both times. It’s the third time Hooker has earned the honor since transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season.
This is the first time Spraggins has earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors since becoming the Vols’ starting right guard last season.
Hooker was phenomenal against the 20th-ranked Gators, completing 22-of-28 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns. The former Virginia Tech signal caller became the third quarterback to torch Florida’s defense with their legs this season. Hooker rushed for 112 yards and another touchdown on just 13 carries.
While Spraggins earned weekly honors, the junior did not grade out well according on Pro Football Focus. Spraggins earned a 59.5 grade, the third highest of all Vol offensive lineman.
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Vols’ head coach Josh Heupel has often been complimentary of his quarterback over the last two years but never as complimentary as he was postgame Saturday.
“Hendon played his butt off tonight,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said postgame. “He played at an elite level. Decisive with the football. Accurate with the football— intermediate, short, long— used his legs at the right time. Created big plays there and a tough competitor man. The offense fed off of him all night long.”
Hooker’s success against Florida was made even more impressive by Cedric Tillman’s unavailability and the magnitude of the stage. The Greensboro, North Carolina native became just the fourth Tennessee quarterback this century to beat Florida, joining Casey Clausen, Erik Ainge and Josh Dobbs.
Still, the stage didn’t feel any bigger for Hooker on Saturday.
“I really didn’t feel any sort of spotlight or stage,” Hooker said. “It’s just us out there playing football like we do every day. Another day in the office and the outcome was how we wanted it to be.”
Hooker, Spraggins and the Vols return to the field after the bye week on Oct. 8 at LSU.
