From a forgotten about transfer addition, to one of the best quarterbacks in Tennessee history — Hendon Hooker’s story is incredible. Hooker wasn’t even recruited by Heupel’s staff, in fact, they recruited Joe Milton and started Milton over Hooker.
Everything worked out in the end for both sides. Hooker put up a Heisman worthy 2022 season in Knoxville, leading Tennessee to an eventual No. 1 ranking. Unfortunately, both Hooker and Tennessee saw their seasons go up in smoke on a November night in Columbia.
Hooker tore his ACL in a devastating loss to South Carolina, which ultimately kept Tennessee out of the College Football Playoff and Hooker out of New York for the Heisman ceremony.