Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for at Pitt

6’4″ 218 pounds

If any player circled last year’s loss to Pitt, Hendon Hooker was that player. It was bittersweet for him, as it was the game that made him Tennessee football’s starting quarterback, but it was also the game that he is most responsible for losing. As a result, this is a revenge game for him more than any other player on the roster.

Hooker was inserted into the lineup last year after Joe Milton III, who started the season and in this game, went down with an injury. For his part, Hooker completed 15-of-21 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran it nine times for 49 yards.

Efficiency, mobility and big plays would all go on to define the Vols under Hooker, and he had all of that in this game. However, in a shootout, with UT trailing 41-34, Hooker cost them late. First, on a 4th and 1 in the red zone in the fourth quarter while trailing by a touchdown, Hooker made the wrong read on a run play, and the Vols were stopped short.

Still, the Vols’ defense gave him the ball back. Well, Hooker then threw an interception to lose the game. He started the first time for Tennessee football the next week, but that succession in the fourth quarter makes this the game he circled. He is also most crucial for the Vols because of what he brings to the table.

As mentioned, UT still will need to run the ball, and Hooker making the right reads is crucial to that. Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright will go as he goes even on the ground. Meanwhile, UT should have major advantages with its receivers, but Hooker has to get them the ball at the right time.

Given Pitt’s elite pass rush, Hooker will also have to avoid pressure well, which he showed a good sign of last week but struggled with last year. All of this is why he tops the list, not just because he’s the quarterback. Hooker’s decision-making will affect the outcome of the game more than anything else.