Jalin Hyatt details the true value of Hendon Hooker leading Tennessee's offense
It’s no secret that the Tennessee Volunteers are having a special season led by a special quarterback, as they now rank No. 1 in the season’s first edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings. The play of Hendon Hooker has elevated the Vol’s offense to another level, as he’s now a frontrunner to win the Heisman Trophy in December. Wide receiver and teammate Jalin Hyatt was asked about what makes his quarterback so special, and started with his leadership.
“Just him being a leader on the field and what he does off the field, it’s just how he leads his team. I think that’s one of the biggest things, really biggest inspirations for me that I’ve seen from him,” Hyatt said. “And he gets everybody juiced up, got everybody juiced up today for practice, and then when he goes out there you know what to expect from him.”
Hooker has obviously elevated his game on the field, but various coaches, teammates, and even himself have spoken on how he’s elevated as a leader as well this season, which is clearly paying off for Tennessee. His play and his leadership have been major in their success, but so has the regularity in which he’s been able to execute in those areas.
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“I think just how consistent he is, the dude’s just consistent in every game and confident. When you have a confident and consistent quarterback you can go as far as you want to go and we’re just following his path and I’m blessed just to be a part of what he has done and just to be here catching passes from him,” Hooker said.
Nobody has been the beneficiary of Hooker’s outstanding play quite as much as Hyatt, who so far this season has been the recipient of 14 of Hooker’s 21 touchdown passes, breaking the Tennessee school record for single-season touchdown receptions last weekend against Kentucky. Hyatt also leads the SEC and ranks fourth in the nation in receiving yards with 907 and ties for first in the conference in receptions with 45 on the year.
The Vols quarterback and receiver duo is definitely one of the most dangerous in the country and have been helping Tennessee win ball games this season, but have also been helping each other in increasing their stock in next year’s upcoming NFL Draft.
“It’s just been a great opportunity for me and I hope he does what he does and even takes it farther for the next level where he goes and I’m proud of him for sure,” Hyatt said.
Tennessee will need Hooker’s leadership and consistency more than ever this weekend, as they take on No. 3 Georgia on the road in one of college football’s most highly anticipated matchups of the season at 3:30 p.m. airing on CBS.