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Hendon Hooker discusses legacy at Tennessee, injury recovery from sideline of Orange Bowl

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•12/30/22
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 26: Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers walks out pregame against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Volunteers star quarterback, Hendon Hooker, recently underwent successful ACL surgery. And instead of being at home or even up in the coaches’ booth while the Volunteers take on Clemson in the Orange Bowl, he is on the sideline rooting and supporting his brothers in battle. While down on the sideline, the team at ESPN caught up with Hooker to ask him about his presence on the sideline and about Josh Heupel as a head coach.

“So I can help out any way that I can. I always want to help out my teammates in times of need. And when it’s game time, it’s always encouragement, and how can I lead? So being involved in meetings was a big part of that,” said Hooker.

“He’s a great teacher, and he surrounds us with other great teachers, such as coach Halzle (Quarterbacks coach) and Mitch Militello (Offensive Analyst). So really, them teaching us and us being attentive and learning day in and day out has helped us succeed.”

In their second year together, Hooker and Heupel spearheaded one of the best offenses in the country. The eventual SEC offensive player of the year played in 11 games completing 229 of his 329 pass attempts for a nearly 70% completion percentage. Hooker amassed 3135 yards through the air with 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Hooker also took a brief moment to highlight just what it meant for him to be accepted and embraced in Tennessee after transferring into the program in 2021. and there’s an added bonus he revealed how his ACL recovery is going thus far.

“It meant a lot to me (and) my family. You know, them just embracing me. And coming off the rough season that they had, all I wanted to do was just help and do what I could do in order to get Tennessee back to where they belong.

“It’s great, it’s great. The first day out, I was moving at 60 percent bend, and now I’m past 90. So, I’m excited for my journey.”

Despite missing their star quarterback, Tennessee has a chance to finish this season on a high note capturing win No. 11 against Clemson. At halftime, the volunteers lead 14-3 thanks to their suffocating defense and solid play from Joe Milton.