Quarterback play on Rocky Top in 2022 was the best it’s been in decades.
Hendon Hooker led Tennessee to legacy-defining wins against Alabama and Florida and was the Heisman frontrunner for the majority of the season before getting injured.
Hooker will go down as one of the best to ever play the position on Rocky Top, most notably for his efforts in 2022.
While Hooker was incredible for Tennessee last season, an injury prevented his chances of becoming the first Vol to ever win the Heisman trophy, an award Hooker was the odds-on favorite for throughout many weeks of the college football season.
Even though an unfortunate ACL tear ruined Hooker’s chances in 2022, could Tennessee have another Heisman candidate at quarterback this season?
In a one-on-one interview with RTI, Hooker himself said that his former teammate and close friend, Joe Milton III, will not only be a Heisman candidate, but he will be next recipient of the coveted award.
“Joe [Milton] will go on to win the Heisman,” Hooker said to RTI on Monday at SEC Media Days. “I’m looking forward to them [Tennessee] going out and dominating this year, really putting on a show every Saturday.”
When asked to clarify his Heisman prediction, Hooker added Milton is also ‘the best quarterback in the nation.’
“He’s the best quarterback in the nation, hands down,” Hooker claimed.
While it’s not abnormal for a player to project big things for a former teammate and close friend, Hooker’s prediction comes after watching Milton grow for the past two seasons in a backup role.
More From RTI: Press Pass Exclusive: Hendon Hooker Talks NFL, Tennessee Predictions, Joe Milton with Rocky Top Insider | RTI Press Pass
Once upon a time, Milton was Tennessee’s starting quarterback entering the 2021 season. But after an injury and some struggles, Hooker ultimately took the reins and was the starter for the next two seasons.
In that timeframe, Milton has learned a lot from Hooker and developed a better grasp of the Josh Heupel offense.
Now, Hooker believes his former teammate is ready to breakout.
“He’s ready. And he’s been ready,” Hooker said about Milton taking over the starter role this year. “I think both of us competing at a high level, pushing each other, taking different tools from each other’s game and implementing those is very special. He picks my brain a lot and he works very hard, so I’m excited for him this year.”
This year is the second and final chance for Milton to take a big leap as a college football quarterback and soar up NFL draft boards.
If he leads the Vols’ offense as efficiently as Hooker did in 2022, Tennessee could very well have their first Heisman winner in program history in 2023.
