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Tennessee football’s top 10 impact players for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

r-Senior. 2. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Hendon Hooker. player

6’4″ 218 pounds

Obviously Hendon Hooker was going to be on here. Tennessee football doesn’t have anybody else more destined to earn national recognition this year than Hooker, and while that has a lot to do with the system Josh Heupel runs, it still all starts with Hooker’s abilities. Those can’t be ignored, as the improvement when he stepped in for Joe Milton III last year was clear.

It’s always a dangerous combination when a quarterback is mobile and deadly efficient. That was the case for Hooker, as he completed 68 percent of his passes last year, averaged over nine and a half yards an attempt and had a 31-3 touchdown-interception ratio. Add in his 616 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, and he’s the perfect fit for Heupel.

Now, it is true that Hooker had an issue avoiding sacks last year, and he had quite a few sack-fumbles. However, that does count against a quarterbacks’ rushing total, unlike the NFL, so his stats were still highly efficient even with those sacks. As a result, he’s a huge threat.

Whether or not he improves on those stats from last year remains to be seen, but it’s pretty clear that he’s the type of quarterback who is crucial to this team. A similar season this year could shoot him up the quarterbacks list in Tennessee football history, and that seems more likely than not.

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