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Tennessee football: Hendon Hooker’s rank among Vols’ Heisman robberies

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Monday’s news about Hendon Hooker not being named among the Heisman finalists was crushing for Tennessee football fans. It’s not surprising, as the Vols have a long history of being unfairly left out of the race for the coveted trophy. However, Hooker was so beloved that it may have even hurt more.

It’s clear the voters had a recency bias, which hurt Hooker since he got injured in the next to last game, one that the Vols lost 63-38, but it’s also clear that they punished a player specifically for getting hurt. What was so angering to Vol fans was that Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett got in over him.

Where does this rank on the Heisman outrage list for the Vols, though? There are plenty, after all. Let’s. break them down here. This is a look at all five Heisman Trophy disappointments for Tennessee football, a school yet to bring that coveted award to Rocky Top.

Hendon Hooker joins a list of Tennessee football Volunteers unfairly treated by the Heisman Trophy voters.

Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler (21) waits on the snap against South Carolina Oct. 31, 1992. The 16th-ranked Vols were upset 24-23 by the Gamcocks in Columbia, S.C.Title Sec Classic Ut Vs South Carolina
Tennessee quarterback Heath Shuler (21) waits on the snap against South Carolina Oct. 31, 1992. The 16th-ranked Vols were upset 24-23 by the Gamcocks in Columbia, S.C.Title Sec Classic Ut Vs South Carolina /

839. 1993. 5. player. Heath Shuler. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Quarterback

Winner: Charlie Ward

Although it was a disappointment for the Vols, this is the only one that nobody could make the case was unjust. Heath Shuler was the SEC Player of the Year in 1993 and finished second in the Heisman voting to Charlie Ward of the Florida State Seminoles. Ward had 740 of the 790 first place votes, easily clearing the field.

He deserved it. While Shuler was elite, completing 184 of 285 passes (64.6 percent) for 2,354 yards (8.3 yards per attempt), 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go along with 76 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, Ward’s numbers were better. He also won the national championship while UT went 9-2-1 (later 10-2).

For his part, the future NBA star went 264 of 380 (69.5 percent) for 3,032 yards (8 yards per attempt), 27 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 339 yards and four more touchdowns. Across the board, Ward had better stats, so this is a case where Tennessee football fans had no gripe.

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