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Hendon Hooker makes announcement on status for 2022 season

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels12/12/21ChandlerVessels
Hendon Hooker reveals his message to Tayven Jackson after his first touchdown in Week 3
Dylan Buell/Getty Images.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is returning to Knoxville for the 2022 season, he tweeted Sunday. A graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, Hooker is electing to use his eligibility relief from the NCAA instead of entering the NFL Draft.

“Looking forward to many more,” Hooker wrote. “Let’s run it back.”

After starting the year second on the depth chart behind Joe Milton, Hooker took over in Week 2 when Milton went down with injury. He never looked back, remaining the starter for the rest of 2021. The quarterback finished the regular season with 2,567 yards passing, 31 total touchdowns and just three interceptions. He added another 561 yards on the ground.

The Volunteers finished the year 7-5 in coach Josh Heupel’s inaugural season. They earned a trip to the Music City Bowl, where they will face Purdue on Dec. 30.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Hooker was the No. 25 quarterback in the 2017 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He committed to Virginia Tech despite holding offers from powers such as Notre Dame, Clemson and Oregon. In three seasons with the Hokies, Hooker threw for 2,894 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The Volunteers made massive improvements offensively with Hooker at quarterback, finishing ninth in the country in points per game (38.8). They ranked fourth in the SEC in total offense.

Hooker’s top receiver, Cedric Tillman, is also eligible to return in 2022. The two developed quite the connection this season, with Tillman finishing with 57 catches for 931 yards and nine touchdowns.

Thanks to the return of Hendon Hooker, Tennessee is hopeful to build on its success from this year during the 2022 season. Heupel came to Knoxville with a reputation for building high-powered offenses, and he appears to be doing just that.

Before then, though, Tennessee will aim for a strong finish to 2021. Kickoff for the Music City Bowl is set for 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 30 in Nashville.