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Tennessee football’s top five performers in 45-42 win at Kentucky

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel celebrates a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel celebrates a touchdown by Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

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

15-of-20, 316 yards 4 TDs; 11 carries, 41 yards

What can we say about Hendon Hooker? The guy may be the most efficient quarterback in the SEC and is having the best season for any Tennessee football quarterback since Joshua Dobbs’ senior season back in 2016. Heck Hooker is giving that a run for his money.

You can’t overstate how amazing it is to complete 75 percent of your passes, average 15.8 yards an attempt and throw no interceptions. Add in the 41 yards Hooker was able to display with his mobility, and he did almost everything right.

Hooker did have help. His first touchdown pass on the first play of the game was a screen pass JaVonta Payton took 75 yards for a score. However, he made a perfect pass to Velus Jones Jr. over the top for his second touchdown pass.

When the Vols were trailing, Hooker made the clutch throw to Jones on 3rd and 18, and he drew the pass interference on 4th and 4 as much as Jones did. His 18-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Warren on that drive followed a 15-yard run by him as well. Then he was the one who directed that 19-second offense for a field goal at the end of the half.

Next. Five takeaways from Vols' 45-42 win at Kentucky. dark

Everything wasn’t perfect, as Hooker had a fumble on a miscommunication handoff to Jabari Small and then fumbled another ball that he recovered on fourth down in the second half. He was also sacked five times. However, Hooker was still Tennessee football’s best player and was the root of all the offensive success. As a result, he tops this list easily.

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