The college football regular season is over and we’re on the cusp of awards season. Two Vols earned invites as finalists for national awards Tuesday morning.
Receiver Jalin Hyatt is one of three Biletnikoff Award finalist while quarterback Hendon Hooker is one of three Maxwell Award finalist.
The Biletnikoff Award is presented yearly by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation and goes to the nation’s top receiver. Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. and Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson join Hyatt as the finalists to win the award.
Hyatt had a breakout junior season in Knoxville, catching 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hyatt ranks third nationally in receiving yards and first in receiving touchdowns. The South Carolina receiver is the first Tennessee player to ever be a finalist for the award.
Ohio State’s Harrison caught 72 passes for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns while Iowa State’s Hutchinson caught 107 passes for 1,171 and six touchdowns.
The Biletnikoff Award winner is announced on Dec. 8.
The Maxwell Award recognizes the best player in college football every season. USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud join Hooker as finalists for the prestigious award.
Hooker led Tennessee back to national prominence this season including the program’s first win over rival Florida since 2016 and rival Alabama since 2004. The super senior was effective with his arm and legs and made winning plays constantly in the Vols’ top wins.
Hooker completed 70% of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground in just under 11 games.
Williams has led USC back to national prominence himself after transferring from Oklahoma with coach Lincoln Riley. The strong armed quarterback’s completed 67% of his passes for 3,712 yards, 34 touchdowns and three interceptions. Williams has also been effective with his legs, tallying 351 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Stroud led Ohio State to a 11-1 season and a second consecutive loss to rival Michigan. The junior quarterback completed 66% of his passes for 3,340 yards, 37 touchdowns and six interceptions. Stroud is a lesser runner than both Hooker and Williams, tallying just 74 yards on the ground.
The Maxwell Award is also announced on Dec. 8.
