If he wasn’t already, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is a legitimate candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Heisman Trophies aren’t won in September. However, if they were, Hooker should be on the next plane to New York City as a finalist to attend the presentation ceremony. Hooker is still a longshot but should be getting noticed by voters who are tasked with selecting the most outstanding player in college football.

Hooker is the highest rated quarterback in the nation. He has completed 81-of-113 passes for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. That’s about as good as a quarterback can get. 

Hooker’s Heisman campaign will rely largely on how Tennessee’s entire team plays this season. Heisman voters love giving the award to quarterbacks who are strong championship contenders. Hooker, of course, plays quarterback, but the latter of that criteria is still very much up for debate. The Vols don’t look like a true championship contenders just yet. However, things can change.

It’s no surprise that Hooker’s teammates have his back when it comes to the award.

“When I look at outstanding player, I think that he changes the way the game is played,” Tennessee center Cooper Mays said on The Vol Report. “If you look at Hendon Hooker, 45 touchdowns and two interceptions, as a starter, is some crazy stat. That’s unreal. That’s unheard of. If you just look at his stat lines, that’s good enough.”

It is. Of course, Mays is referencing to some statistics from last season, but those should also help Hooker. It’s extremely rare that a player comes from being completely unknown to winning The Heisman Trophy. Hooker had plenty of pub headed into the 2022 season after leading the Vols to a surprising 7-6 season in 2021.

The criteria for selecting a Heisman Trophy winner has always been rather unclear and open to interpretation. The trophy is designed to go to the most outstanding player in college football. That could mean the most dynamic player, the player that is most valuable to his team or the most accomplished player, which could mean team success or individual achievements. Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren shared some thoughts on what he believes the Heisman should be awarded for.

“When you think of The Heisman Trophy and the winner of the Heisman, it’s usually the person that being in the game will change the game,” Warren said. “That person is a game changer. That person has the ability at any time – at any moment – to make a play that changes the game or make a play that maybe others might not be able to be able to make. 

“Just being a game changer is the biggest quality of a Heisman winner in my book, whether that’s a defensive guy, a running back, quarterback or whatever it is. Hendon fits that and I think he does that, He has done that and will continue to be that guy for us. Hopefully at the end of the year, there will be no denying whether he should be in that contention or not.” 

Hooker is still considered a longshot to win The Heisman Trophy by most sports books, about 500-1. However, that could change if he continues to play well in prominent games.

“You watch the film and the opportunities he creates for us and as an all-around football player, he makes everybody around him better,” Mays said. “He makes the whole show go. How could you not think he’s one of he best in the country or up there in Heisman contention?”

Hooker is so team oriented in public that it can make one wonder if he even cares if he wins any award, even the Heisman. Does Hooker care about taking home the ultimate hardware in college football?

“Yeah, I think so,” Warren said with a smile on The Vol Report. “I think that’s probably one of his aspirations that he knows he can accomplish, but at the end of the day, if he puts the season together and everything is pointing like he should, he should at least be in contention. 

“I think obviously he’d be upset if he didn’t get considered, but the guy knows exactly what he wants and where he wants to end up. Without putting words in his mouth, from what I can tell he just wants to take care of his family. He wants to be able to take care of himself and do what he loves doing…I’m sure he doesn’t really care at the end of the day as long as he’s happy. He would love to win it I’m sure, but if he doesn’t I’m sure he’ll be alright.”

Let’s see how things shake out. The Heisman won’t be handed out anytime soon, but Hooker is being noticed. He won the Davey O’Brien Award weekly award as the top college football player in the nation. That’s a pretty good start.