Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has become almost as notorious with his bland press conference demeanor as he has with his electric play on the football field. Hooker broke stride on Monday when he visited with the media.
“I am the best basketball player on the team,” Hooker said with a smile.
Other Tennessee players might dispute that, but it’s hard to argue that Hooker’s attitude has been a fantastic combination of swagger and calm. Where did that come from? It all originated when UT’s coaches saw Hooker playing basketball and encouraged him to approach football the same way.
“It really just helped me find myself, being comfortable in my own skin,” Hooker said. “I didn’t have to be so uptight and demanding.”
Hooker admitted to being “overly” focused at times on football. Perhaps that was part of the reason that things didn’t work out at Virginia Tech and caused the senior to transfer to Tennessee. Now, with his basketball mindset, he’s more comfortable on the football field.
“I could just go out there and have fun and enjoy what I’m doing,” Hooker said.
That seems to be working. Hooker is the highest-rated quarterback in the SEC and is considered a strong candidate to win the Heisman Trophy. Everything changed on the football field when Hooker decided to take that “loose” basketball mentality to the gridiron.
“I never really thought about it like that,” Hooker said, “until they approached me with that idea and bringing that attitude from the basketball court to the football field.”
Tennessee’s coaches deserve more than an assist for Hooker’s play this season.
