Josh Heupel opens up on Hendon Hooker's influence, explains why his impact will be felt forever

It has been a bittersweet season for the Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Josh Heupel. For much of the season, Tennessee was one of the better teams in college football. But that all changed when they suffered their second loss and a surprise upset against South Carolina. In that game, not only did the Volunteers find themselves knocked out of contention for a College Football Playoff spot, but they also lost former Heisman hopeful quarterback Hendon Hooker. Although he’s done for the season, his influence is still felt throughout the team, as Heupel recently explained. Tennessee’s headman also talked about why Hooker’s impact will be felt forever.

“I think it’s important for our football team that Hendon’s around. Leadership doesn’t change just because you’re not the guy taking the snap, and your influence doesn’t change,” said Heupel. “But I think it’s important for Hendon too. And to be around the guys, to see him dancing in the locker room with the guys afterward. He is a huge part of the culture of this program and the success that we’ve had. The stamp of him will be felt and left on this program forever.”

Hooker, a sixth-year senior, was on the rise on many NFL draft boards before suffering the dreaded ACL tear against South Carolina. Still, despite the injury, Hooker is expected to draw plenty of attention after the season he put together this year at Tennessee. A season, as Heupel put it, that has helped him put a stamp on the program that will forever remain.

Robert Griffin III: Hendon Hooker should have been a Heisman finalist

Hendon Hooker will not be one of the four men set to travel to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony this weekend.

The Tennessee superstar tore his ACL against South Carolina in the second to last week of the regular season, effectively ending his season one game early. Whether that had anything to do with the final Heisman votings – a former Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffin III, expressed his discontent with the final field of four when it was officially announced.

“Hendon Hooker should have been invited to New York,” Griffin wrote Monday night.

Before going down with his torn ACL, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards, had a 27-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio to go with an 89.4 QBR – all top 25 in every category – it’s hard to understand why he was left off the ballet, especially considering he was a major threat in the running game, too. Hooker’s commanding presence under center was unrivaled in the SEC this season.