Matt Leinart: Hendon Hooker has a real shot to win the Heisman Trophy

Former USC and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart played in one of college football’s most explosive offenses under Pete Carroll. One of the most explosive offense’s in the modern game is the Tennessee Volunteers’ offense. Led by Hendon Hooker, there is a growing movement to give him Heisman Trophy consideration.

Matt Leinart sat down with On3’s Pete Nakos. There the two talked about several different topics, including Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who Leinart had nothing but praise for.

“Well, first of all, that’s another great story,” Matt Leinart said. “And he’s been phenomenal.”

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“I don’t know the exact numbers, but since he’s been playing for Josh Heupel, his numbers have just been absolutely ridiculous. Yeah, I think he can play himself into that conversation. I mean, I think he’s in the conversation.”

Very few people are as connected to the Heisman Trophy as Matt Leinart, though. It’s a challenging thing to figure out, vote for, and predict. Leinart explained these challenges.

“With the Heisman, and I’m a voter, but it’s so hard because you have the preseason and all of that. And then you have these big guys. You have Bryce Young, who is still the best player in college football. He’s gonna have a big year. CJ Stroud is gonna have a big year and Ohio State’s gonna be right there and probably in the playoff. Obviously, some other kids are – Caleb’s [Williams] having a big year. I love those types of stories because if Tennessee pulls off a couple of these upsets, and if they beat, shoot, if they beat Georgia, and he’s just playing how he’s still playing, absolutely he’s got a shot. That’s why we watch the games, and that’s why we vote.”

To this point in the season, Tennessee is unbeaten. Hendon Hooker has been a key piece of that, throwing for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns through four games.