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Tennessee football: Top 10 games in 2021 by Vols returning for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands thee ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl between Tennessee and Purdue at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Bowl Cm 1230 12 /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs around Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jacquez Jones (10) during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs around Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jacquez Jones (10) during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky. Hendon Hooker. player. 4. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Quarterback

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

In addition to Byron Young stepping up against Kentucky, Hendon Hooker was a star. He did have a fumble in this game, but that was due to a snapping issue. Hooker, in his most typical fashion playing under Josh Heupel, was Tennessee football’s playmaker early, when he really set the tone.

On the first play of the game, he hit JaVonta Payton for a 75-yard touchdown. He hit Velus Jones Jr. for a 72-yard touchdown on the next drive. However, for Hooker, what really stood out was what he was able to do when things got tougher. Kentucky took a 21-14 lead in the second, and it was 3rd and 18 for the Vols, so it seemed like they were in trouble.

Well, Hooker completed a 14-yard pass to Jones, which brought up a 4th and manageable, where he drew a pass interference. Then he had a 15-yard run and an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Warren to tie it up. He then completed three straight passes with 10 seconds left to set up a field goal by Chase McGrath at halftime. Those two drives were huge.

A fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman to give them all the points they needed to win was also crucial. Time and time again, when Tennessee football needed a play, Hooker came through, and it was against an elite defense, so his performance belongs up here.

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