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How Tennessee football QBs who won starting job midseason performed the next year

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 11, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen (7) is lifted up by teammate Will Ofenheusle after scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter during the Vols 35-24 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Oct. 20, 2001.102001 Ut Fb
Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen (7) is lifted up by teammate Will Ofenheusle after scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter during the Vols 35-24 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Oct. 20, 2001.102001 Ut Fb /

2. player. 839. Sophomore. 2001. Casey Clausen. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

227-of-354; 2,969 yards; 22 TDs; 9 INTs; 3 rush TDs

He was supposed to be the first true freshman to ever start a season for Tennessee football in 2000, but a shoulder injury forced Casey Clausen to the bench. The Vols were in rebuilding mode after a legendary five-year run in the 1990s, and with Joey Mathews and then A.J. Suggs starting at quarterback, they stumbled off to a 2-3 start.

UT hadn’t lost three regular season games since 1994 at the time. Coming off a bye week, Clausen was ready to step in and start, and he did just that. He began by leading the Vols to a 20-10 win over Alabama. A week later, he led a game-winning drive to beat a top 25 South Carolina team 17-14, then he led another game-winning drive to beat the Memphis Tigers 19-17.

Both were road games. The Vols then returned home to blow out Arkansas and Kentucky before finishing the regular season holding off Vanderbilt. They lost to the Kansas State Wildcats 35-21 in the Cotton Bowl, but the future was bright with Clausen at the helm.

The next year, they lived up to that bright future. With Donte Stallworth and Kelley Washington at wideout, Jason Witten at tight end and Bobby Graham and Eric Parker in the slot, Clausen was loaded with options at receiver that year.

Crazy enough, though, his best support was an elite running game, as a dominant offensive line helped Travis Stephens set the single-season rushing record. Thanks to all this help along with the best interior line in college football history, the Vols went 10-1 in the regular season, beat Florida in Steve Spurrier’s final home game there and reached No. 2 in the BCS.

However, they were shocked in the SEC Championship game by the LSU Tigers, which cost them everything. They rebounded by beating the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl, where Clausen was MVP. Tennessee football finished 11-2 and in the top five, its last top 10 finish or season with less than three losses since.

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