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Tennessee football: Ranking all nine transfer portal additions by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice
Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell (10) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021.Kns Tennessee Fall Practice /
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Nov 9, 2019; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) sets to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2019; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) sets to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

Hendon Hooker. 7. Redshirt senior. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Quarterback

Previous school: Virginia Tech Hokies

Everybody knows about Tennessee football’s quarterback race. The Vols have two transfers competing and two returners who have starter games for them over the past two years. Hendon Hooker is the most experienced of all those players, though, as he has seen significant action in 16 games over the past two years.

Hooker has completed 197 of 312 passes (63.1 percent) for 2,894 yards (9.3 yards per attempt), 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a result, when healthy, the production is there.

We should also note that Hooker is a dual-threat, which gives him an advantage in Josh Heupel’s system, and he’s the one quarterback with experience in an offense that runs elements of the spread, having played for Justin Fuente. As a result, Hooker is the most ready for this system.

However, even with no returning starter, the competition for this job is fierce. Hooker was not the best performer in the spring, falling second to Harrison Bailey. He’s also not a guy Heupel targeted, as he signed with Jeremy Pruitt. Those two things are working against him, and they also put the 6’4″ 218-pound veteran behind the next guy on our list at the same position.

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