Tennessee football: Hendon Hooker finally gets his due in outlet’s SEC QB rankings

From being way too underrated in multiple preseason listings to being utterly disrespected by Tim Tebow to even analytical outlets somehow overlooking him, Tennessee football quarterback Hendon Hooker hasn’t been getting the respect he deserves in the offseason. However, at least one outlet is finally giving him his due.

Hooker came in at No. 2 in the SEC quarterback rankings by Steve Lassan of Athlon Sports. The one quarterback ahead of him was Bryce Young of the Alabama Crimson Tide, and it made sense to put the Heisman Trophy winner ahead of him.

Many outlets, though, have had K.J. Jefferson of the Arkansas Razorbacks ahead of Hooker, which made no sense, so at least Athlon got that one right. That’s one outlet not going out of its way to disrespect anything affiliated with Tennessee football. Here’s a bit of what Lassan wrote about Hooker and his supporting cast.

"Tennessee lost two key weapons at receiver (JaVonta Payton and Velus Jones Jr.), but Cedric Tillman is back, and four starters return to protect Hooker along the line of scrimmage. Also, Hooker will benefit from a full offseason to work under Heupel and should be more comfortable at the controls in his second year as Tennessee’s No. 1 quarterback."

Of course, beyond many of the outlets giving more love to Jefferson, Tebow was even more ridiculous last week at SEC Media Days. He had Anthony Richardson of the Florida Gators and Spencer Rattler of the South Carolina Gamecocks ahead of both Hooker and Jefferson. That made no sense.

To be fair to those looking past Hooker, the Vols’ coaching staff themselves looked past him. Josh Heupel made the decision to start Joe Milton III in the first two games last year, and the offense didn’t take off until Hooker came in against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

However, you cant argue with 36 total touchdowns, which includes 31 passing and just three interceptions, along with a 68 percent completion rate, 9.7 yards per attempt, 2,945 passing yards and 616 rushing yards. Hooker was great all the way around.

This year, we might see Hooker break a few of Peyton Manning’s 1997 records, not just in terms of offense because of his mobility but potentially in passing touchdowns. He already set the single season record for completion percentage with a minimum of 300 attempts.

When you take all of that into account, Hooker is clearly one of the best two quarterbacks in the SEC. He maybe in the Heisman running, but given the past treatment of Tennessee football candidates for that prestigious award, no amount of greatness will win it for him. At least Athlon appreciates him, though.