Due to COVID, lots of seniors are getting one extra chance to prove their worth. It’s no different for Tennessee football, and with the arrival of a new head coach, they have a clean slate as well. For many of them, this is their third full-time head coach and fourth overall coach on Rocky Top.
Many of these seniors will be locked in position battles all year in an attempt to secure a starting job or rotational position. However, as is always the case, when fall camp comes, the newcomers will get the first look at that point. As a result, spring practice will be crucial for many of the seniors looking to play under Josh Heupel.
Let’s take a look at those players who need to stand out over the next few weeks. If these guys don’t make a splash, they’ll fall behind by August because younger players are set to arrive and compete at their positions. Here are 10 Tennessee football players who have to perform well in the spring.
6’4″ 218 pounds
All the quarterbacks are technically on Tennessee football’s spring practice roster. However, given Josh Heupel’s likely desire to build for the future given the fact that he is taking over a new program, Hendon Hooker needs to stand out the entire time as the one senior in the competition.
A graduate transfer from the Virginia Tech Hokies, the product of Dudley High School in North Carolina is a dual-threat with great size and experience. His chances at starting could depend on whether or not Heupel finds his quarterback for 2022. If he does, this year will be a stopgap year, so the only barometer will be who the best player is, not who has the most potential long-term.
However, Hooker needs to make it clear he’s that player. There’s also more pressure on him now with Kaidon Salter suspended. If Hooker doesn’t outshine Harrison Bailey and Brian Maurer in the spring, he’ll have a hard time doing so in the fall when/if Salter does rejoin the team.