Josh Heupel assesses play of Hendon Hooker, Tennessee quarterbacks in scrimmage

The Tennessee Volunteers saw some mixed results during last year, the first year with Josh Heupel as the team’s head football coach. Ultimately, the Volunteers went 7-6 on the season and 4-4 against SEC opponents, eventually losing to Purdue in overtime during the Music City Bowl. But one positive from last year is the progression of Tennessee starting quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Last season was Hooker’s first at Tennessee following three years at Virginia Tech. It was a successful year with the Vols for Hooker, as he completed 68.2% of his passes for 2,945 yards with 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions. On the ground, he added 620 yards and five more touchdowns.

Tennessee ranked top ten nationally with 474.9 yards per game last season with Hooker at the helm. The Volunteers’ 39.3 points per game also ranked in the top ten across college football.

Spring ball is underway for the Volunteers. After Tennessee’s first spring scrimmage, Heupel addressed the play of Hooker, saying that he played really well and efficiently.

“Operating efficiently,” Heupel said when asked about Hooker, other Tennessee quarterbacks in the scrimmage. “I thought Hendon did a great job throughout the course of the day. made some really nice decisions inside of the pocket. Again getting through his progression in a really good way and being able to drop the football off.”

Heupel addressed the play of Tennessee’s quarterbacks behind Hooker

Joe Milton III and Tayven Jackson also impressed Heupel at the latest scrimmage. While Milton and Jackson are both expected to back up Hooker in Tennessee’s quarterback room, they will both need to be ready in case they are thrusted into action over the course of a long season. Heupel liked what he saw from both, adding that there is still plenty of room to grow.

“I thought Joe did some really positive things, was able to extend some drives and make some plays. Tayven, there were some really good things. He’s continued to progress as we’ve gone through the first six days and today being a scrimmage. There’s going to be a lot of things for him at the quarterback position operationally. When it’s time to get rid of the football, not take a sack. There’s going to be some opportunities for him to really grow.”

Like Hooker, last season was also Milton’s first year at Tennessee following three years elsewhere. Milton began his career with three years at Michigan, playing sparingly. Last season, he attempted 62 passes and threw for 375 yards and two touchdowns.

Jackson is a true freshman this spring as a part of the 2022 recruiting class. He is a four-star recruit and the tenth-rated quarterback in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average.