JD PicKell: The two biggest factors for Hendon Hooker to win the Heisman

According to On3’s JD PicKell, Hendon Hooker‘s shot at the 2022 Heisman Trophy isn’t as far-fetched as some people might think. It just might have to take the perfect circumstances for his Heisman hope to become reality.

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“A lot of guys put big stats every single year, but get leapt out of the Heisman Trophy race because their team doesn’t put them in the national stage to get that award,” PicKell said on the Hard Count. “For Tennessee, you’ve got to give Hendon Hooker a chance to have his Heisman moment.”

But how does that “Heisman moment” happen? Well, it has to come naturally. There’s no forcing the issue – unless Pickell’s theory is to be believed.

“The Heisman moment that I have circled is November 5 at Georgia,” PicKell revealed. “It’s toward the end of the year, obviously being in November. The playoff race is starting to take shape. The SEC race is starting to take shape, ultimately, byproducts by process of elimination, the Heisman race starting to take shape.

“If Hendon Hooker and Tennessee can come into that game with one loss and beat Georgia in Athens – that would create a lot of juice around his Heisman Trophy campaign. Now, the one loss on the schedule that I would allow is Alabama, but you can’t have another loss on the schedule, and that’s easier said than done being in the SEC and given the schedule that Tennessee has, that’s probably a big ask.”

Pickell’s theory could certainly come to fruition. Second-year head coach Josh Heupel is making big waves in the recruiting scene as well as the transfer portal, and Hooker is already coming off a spectacular first season as the Volunteers’ QB1. Now, he just needs those around him to contribute consistently, and one loss heading into November will be tough sledding, yet still feasible.

“Tennessee [has to] be in position to get Hendon Hooker that award,” PicKell said. “So, if you can pop up against Georgia – at Georgia – they have a big win, and then they still only have one loss the rest of the year and I think Hendon Hooker could very much find himself in New York.”