Hendon Hooker draws praise on social media after strong first half
Hendon Hooker lost the Tennessee Volunteers’ QB competition this offseason, with Joe Milton III getting the QB1 spot.
But, with Milton banged up entering Saturday’s Week 3 matchup against Tennessee Tech, Hooker got the start.
And, he got started with a bang, finding JaVonta Payton for a 29-yard touchdown:
HOOKER TO PAYTON FOR A #VOLS TD pic.twitter.com/tGQ7m8BmFC
— RockyTopTalk (@RockyTopTalk) September 18, 2021
He also threw this strike to Velus Jones Jr., and Jones took it 45 yards for the touchdown:
⚡️⚡️ @VelusJr
Watch live » https://t.co/1Q0NgR4HCG pic.twitter.com/r5MTVeBEw9
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) September 18, 2021
There was some bad, though, as Hooker did fumble the ball after getting hit low on this play:
another angle of the hit on Hendon Hooker#Vols pic.twitter.com/eaiB8fa07W
— RockyTopTalk (@RockyTopTalk) September 18, 2021
He left the game, but re-entered the game on the following drive. He finished the first half with 3 touchdown passes, though.
So, after he showed he can move the team down the field, many fans took to Twitter to say Hooker should be the Vols’ new starting quarterback:
I'd really be surprised if Milton starts again this year. Hendon Hooker is looking good.
— it's me. (@dudeitsvance) September 18, 2021
Tennesee is a MUCH better team with Hendon Hooker at QB
— Steven Rummage (@StevenRummage) September 18, 2021
Hendon Hooker showing he can stand in the pocket nicely early it seems.
— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) September 18, 2021
Vols have Hendon Hooker and choose to start Milton over him the other games? https://t.co/CVxIlhmE8v
— Cory Boeckman (@C_Boeckman) September 18, 2021
Hendon Hooker has proved he's a much better runner than Joe Milton. If he can hit even 50% of his deep balls today, he has to be QB1 in Gainesville.
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) September 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/MikeL_LWOS/status/1439266790601859076
The Hendon Hooker Show is back on for those of you into fun stuff like that.
— Perk (@ReggiePJr) September 18, 2021
The Vols play Florida next weekend. We’ll see who coach Josh Heupel decides to start.
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Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting.
