All for Tennessee
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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 52-24 loss at Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a ball over Alabama defensive back Daniel Wright (3) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) catches a ball over Alabama defensive back Daniel Wright (3) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /
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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during a football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021.Kns Tennessee Alabama Football Bp /

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

19-of-28 for 282 yards, 3 TDs; 12 carries for 26 yards

After questions about whether or not he would start all week, Josh Heupel gave Hendon Hooker the nod once again. Hooker did everything he could to pull off a heroic effort for Tennessee football, showing just how tough of a player he is.

Given his injuries, Hooker’s mobility wasn’t going to be what it usually is. That was compounded by the fact that the Vols were banged up on the offensive line anyway and couldn’t establish the running game they needed to. An offense somewhat one-dimensional and desperation is what led to Hooker’s second interception of the season late, but he did the best he could.

The strategy was to take shots downfield given the limitations. For a while, it worked. Hooker found JaVonta Payton for a 57-yard touchdown pass and Cedric Tillman for a 70-yard touchdown pass. His first touchdown pass to Velus Jones Jr. was set up by a 39-yard pass to Tillman.

Simply put, Hooker was forced to make plays a lot more with his arm and purely from the pocket in this game, and he actually did pretty well. His release improved too, as despite all these issues, Alabama only had three sacks. That’s actually impressive given what Hooker was dealing with, so he deserves to be mentioned once again on this list.

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