Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has played his way into Heisman award conversations thus far. Can he pull it out over Heisman favorite C.J. Stroud?
Let’s take a look at four reasons Hooker should win the Heisman Trophy.
Hendon Hooker has the better story
Who doesn’t love a good comeback story? Or even better, a story of perseverance?
Hooker possesses both.
Hooker’s only fight has not been the depth chart at Tennessee or Virginia Tech.
Hooker had to undergo surgery for a heart condition in September of 2020. The then Virginia Tech quarterback was undergoing routine tests following a COVID-19 diagnosis when tests revealed a potentially career-ending heart condition.
Thankfully, Hooker was able to continue his football journey after the successful surgery. Five months later, Hooker transferred to Tennessee.
Remember former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow? The Heisman-winner and National Champion transferred from Ohio State to LSU, reviving his career and becoming a household name.
Hooker has done much the same. Playing minimal snaps at Virginia Tech, Hooker earned the starting job at Tennessee last season, and has been putting up Heisman numbers ever since. Hooker went from being buried in the depth chart at Virginia Tech, to a household name and celebrity to many Vol fans.
For many kids in Knoxville, Hooker has even become a role-model. It’s rare to walk around in Knoxville and not see a “Hooker” jersey or shirt today
The Heisman Committee likes winners
Who doesn’t love a winner? Hooker has proven that he can win.
Think about some past Hesiman trophy winners: Bryce Young, Devonta Smith, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray. They’re all winners.
Hooker can cement his place with that group, and his body of work is well on its way.
The Volunteers have one of the toughest schedules in the country, and Hooker has led Tennessee to four top 25 wins through seven games.
The quarterback led Tennessee to their first ever defeat of a Nick Saban led Alabama. Hooker went head-to-head with Heisman-winning quarterback Young and came out victorious against the Crimson Tide.
Peyton Manning – famously snubbed from winning the Heisman trophy in 1997 – was held down by his inability to win big games. Manning’s loss to Florida in ‘97 was one of the major arguments against his candidacy for the Heisman, leading to Charles Woodson taking the trophy.
Hooker isn’t done yet, the quarterback still has the No. 1 team in the country ahead of him in Georgia. However, Young was able to win the Heisman with a loss to Texas A&M and a loss in the championship to Georgia.
The Heisman committee hates favorites
C.J. Stroud has the best odds to secure the Heisman trophy right now.
Tennessee fans are familiar with Heisman favorites not winning the coveted award. Manning was the favorite to win the Heisman trophy in 1997. The legendary quarterback got beat out by Woodson.
Woodson was the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman trophy.
Spencer Rattler opened as the Heisman favorite in 2021, but was ultimately beat out by Young.
Burrow wasn’t even in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy in early 2019, and he received the second-most votes ever in Heisman voting.
Moral of the story: The committee seems to favor the underdog over the Heisman favorite.
Hooker shows no sign of slowing down
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is renowned for having explosive offenses. He is also considered one of the best offensive minds in the game.
Hooker averages 299 yards per game. Leaving games early against teams like UT Martin and Akron has hurt Hooker’s stat line more than playing quality opponents.
Hooker put up 385 yards against Alabama and 349 yards against Florida. Hooker also has one interception on the year through seven games. He also has 18 touchdowns.
Life is easy for a quarterback when your head coach is able to scheme guys open. The up-tempo offense also wears down defenses, giving Hooker opportunities to rack up stats.
Hooker is beginning to clear himself from the field, and he isn’t stopping anytime soon.
