Josh Heupel reacts to Hendon Hooker attending Tennessee game

One year after going down with a torn ACL in Tennessee‘s contest against South Carolina, quarterback Hendon Hooker returned to cheer on his Volunteers as they sought revenge against the Gamecocks.

He was in the house early for the much-anticipated tilt, which did not disappoint Tennessee fans.

“One of the best to play here. Guy that cares about his teammates still,” coach Josh Heupel said. “Joe (Milton), to everybody that’s in that locker room. I think it speaks to his love of this university and this program, that on a bye week or a short week, I should say, I mean he’s got a couple days off, that this is where he chooses to come. So it was awesome to have him back and be a part of this win.”

Tennessee won convincingly 41-20 on a day when Hooker’s replacement was not necessarily at his best.

Milton threw two interceptions in the contest and finished 21-of-32 passing for 239 yards, with one touchdown. Still, it was enough for the Volunteers to record a very important SEC East win, one that will keep it in the division hunt going forward.

That comes one year after Hooker nearly led the Volunteers to a playoff berth, only stumbling late down the stretch against South Carolina as Hooker was hurt.

The former Tennessee quarterback finished his career with the Volunteers 435-of-631 passing for 6,080 yards, with 58 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Hooker also ran for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Following his career at Tennessee, Hendon Hooker was a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He began his stint there on the reserve/non-football injury list due to the torn ACL.

But Hooker is now eligible to return to the active roster at any point.

Detroit can call up to eight players per season up from the injured reserve within NFL rules, and it’s likely that they will call up Hooker at some point when he has recovered sufficiently from his injury.

Hooker suffered the torn ACL on Nov. 19, 2022.