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Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for vs. Vanderbilt

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /
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Oct 9, 2021; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks for an open receiver in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks for an open receiver in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY Sports /

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

6’4″ 218 pounds

Yes, Tennessee football’s running game will be dominated by Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright, Len’Neth Whitehead and maybe even Tiyon Evans if he’s fully healthy. Marcus Pierce Jr. might even see some action as a senior, even though he can return next season due to the eligibility rules.

However, Hendon Hooker is still the biggest offensive star on the team, and he’s going to be able to take part in that rushing onslaught as well with his legs. Then there’s the fact that Hooker is the quarterback, so he’s obviously going to be tasked with torching Vandy through the air, and honestly, this game is laid out for him to do just that.

Vandy allows 273.6 passing yards a game and over eight passing yards an attempt, which is No. 119 and No. 100 nationally respectively. Both are also worst in the SEC. Hooker is a beacon of efficiency, which is why that latter stat is so dangerous, as he is picking up nearly yards a passing attempt, good for second in the SEC to Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett.

Next. Week 12 SEC Power Rankings. dark

Taking that into account, Hooker and Tennessee football’s offense as a whole could have its most historic game yet against Vanderbilt. The matchups are all there, and they all favor Hooker having a huge game, so watch out.

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