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Tennessee football: The case for and against each QB after three games

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterbacks Hendon Hooker (5) and Joe Milton III (7) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee quarterbacks Hendon Hooker (5) and Joe Milton III (7) during morning football practice on campus on Friday, August 20, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /
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Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) warming up before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) warming up before the game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Final verdict

Given what we have seen from each Tennessee football quarterback so far, it’s actually a pretty safe bet to give Hendon Hooker the job Saturday at the Florida Gators. As of now, he’s just the most ready to handle it. Here’s how Josh Heupel should set the order:

1. Hendon Hooker

2. Joe Milton III

3. Harrison Bailey

Now, despite the numbers, Hooker and Milton are closer than you might think. As we mentioned, their one common opponent with significant action was Pitt, and they had the same PFF grade. Although Milton had more overthrows in that game, Hooker made worse decisions. Hooker also showed he is prone to overthrows in the first quarter against Tennessee Tech.

At the same time, though, Hooker also showed against Tennessee Tech he can make those good decisions. He was nearly perfect on knowing when to keep it or hand it off on RPOs, and none of his throws were ill-advised. It looks right now like those last two drives were just flukes.

Next. Vols' stock report following Week 3 win vs. Tennessee Tech. dark

All due respect to Bailey, but based on what we’ve seen, he’s a distant third right now. His accuracy isn’t significantly better than either of the other guys, and he’s just not as mobile. We haven’t seen bad decision-making from him yet, but the sample size is too small right now. Hooker should be Tennessee football’s starter Saturday with Milton a close second.

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