Josh Heupel praises backup QB Hendon Hooker, gives personal insight

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel praised backup quarterback Hendon Hooker and offered personal insight during his Monday press conference. A former quarterback himself, Heupel brings a unique perspective to the quarterback room as he maneuvers through a competition between former starters.

Tennessee brought in transfer quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton this offseason to compete for the starting job. During camp, Milton won the job and relegated Hooker to backup duties.

Hendon Hooker steps up

In the first half of Tennessee’s Week Two game against Pittsburgh, Milton went down with a lower body injury, bringing Hooker into the game.

“I thought he did some really good things from within the pocket,” Heupel said of Hooker. “He stood in there and got hit on a couple of throws but delivered the ball accurately down the football field. Most of his decision making was right. Obviously, the pick at the end and the turnover were two costly plays. If you look at what has transpired here the first couple of weeks, the quarterback has to continue to do a better job than they have at taking care of the football.”

Hooker had 188 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception, adding 49 rushing yards and a fumble.

Heupel was unable to provide an injury update on Milton, but said “the guys that are healthy will be ready to go.”

Josh Heupel’s experience

Tennessee’s new coach brings a unique perspective to the quarterback room as a national champion and former All-American. Heupel explained the impact his experience has on his coaching style.

“I think as a player, certainly it shapes the dialogue that you have with them and how you try to handle them in the competitive situations and in just around the building and in general,” said Heupel. “As a coach, all of the quarterback battles that have gone on while I’ve been coaching the position to injuries that inevitably happen during the course of a season at that position, you guys have heard me say it multiple times: the strength of one position can’t just be one guy. I thought Hendon (Hooker) did a lot of really good things.”

He continued: “It’s tough being a backup because you don’t get the same amount of reps, you don’t know when your time is going to be called. I thought he answered the bell with a lot of positive things during the course of play. Obviously, we have to do a better job of taking care of the football.”