Hendon Hooker was in a much different place this time last year. A much, much different place.
The Tennessee quarterback was far from a Heisman Trophy candidate shortly before the 2021 season. If you recall. Hooker was just hoping to get a shot as the backup to Joe Milton before the season began last year. We all know what has happened since.
Now, Hooker is a Preseason All-SEC selection and one of the best stories in all of college football. Life can happen pretty fast. In less than a year, Hooker has gone from second-string to the second coming of Peyton Manning. While that may be a gross exaggeration, Hooker has certainly had a year to be proud of.
When asked about the difference between preseason camp in 2021 compared to how he’s approaching this season, Hooker said, “Just being relaxed. Not being too antsy, not trying to force things, but just letting the game come to me and having fun, having a great time out there with my teammates.
“They encourage me to come out every day and continue to keep my head down and lead the way that they need me to. So, really just doing my day-to-day emphasis, which is just getting better and focusing on leading, in the classroom, getting on film, communicating at a high-level has been something I have been trying to work on.”
That “antsy” thing has me thinking. Was Hooker antsy last season after transferring from Virginia Tech? Who could blame him if he was? Hooker was running out of eligibility. The senior had to seize control of the starting job, lead the Vols’ surprisingly explosive offense and re-write the record books. There were things to be done!
Well, he got that out of the way quickly.
The “antsy” thing also makes me wonder about the decision to play Milton over Hooker to start the season. From the outside, that decision looks like second-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s one glaring mistake with the Vols. Everything else has drawn rave reviews. However, if Hooker was “antsy” and not practicing at a high level, Tennessee’s coaches shouldn’t be held responsible. They played who they thought would give them the best chance to win. Who knew that Hooker would be such a gamer?
It’s also worth noting that Tennessee’s current coaches, unlike previous staffs, don’t leak information to the media to defend themselves and, subsequently, undermine their players. That’s a welcome change.
As good as Hooker was last season, he should probably still be a little bit antsy, at least until he sees if the Vols can better protect the pocket. The Vols were last in the SEC in sacks allowed last season. With four returning starters, the Vols should be much better in pass protection this season.
“A lot of communication from them this camp for sure,” Hooker said. “They’re asking us what we think, what we like in some different looks. We’re doing the same from the quarterback and running back standpoint.”
Hooker understands the difference between the two jobs, of being a quarterback as opposed to an offensive lineman. Hooker is the face of the program. There’s pressure on him every time he takes a snap or shows up at a social function. Tennessee’s offensive linemen face the frenetic pace of playing in the nation’s fastest offense. That’s asking a lot of a group of players who tip the scales at 300.
“You know that up tempo is tough on those big guys…We have to push through whatever pain we’re feeling,” Hooker said. “It’s bigger than us. They have had that team attitude, so I’m excited to see them full-go.”
Tennessee fans are excited to see the new, non-antsy version of Hooker this season.
