Tennessee QB coach Joey Halzle calls Hendon Hooker the 'fiercest competitor' he's been around

It’s no secret: Hendon Hooker is playing lights out this season.

He’s quickly made himself a household name in college football and is rising up the Heisman charts each and every week. The Vols are 4-0 with 2 wins against ranked opponents and Hooker is the catalyst.

Quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle expected that growth. He told media Tuesday that Hooker is the “fiercest competitor” he has ever been around.

Halzle on Hendon Hooker: The fiercest competitor I have ever been around.

— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 4, 2022

Tennessee QB Joey Halzle: Hendon is playing at an extremely high level right now.

Halzle says that Hooker’s work ethic has been off the charts with the goal of being the best quarterback in the country.

— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 4, 2022

Halzle has mostly been impresses with his work ethic. Hooker was a good, not great quarterback out of Virginia Tech when he arrived at Tennessee last season. His transformation is based solely in that ideology that he will be the best.

And he’s getting close.

Halzle says that Hooker is significantly more accurate and a better decision maker right now compared to this time last year. Says that it is a testament to Hooker’s work ethic.

— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 4, 2022