Is Hendon Hooker a darkhorse Heisman contender?

#53
#53
Which is doable since he will be starting from day 1. Remember the stats he put up last year and he didn’t even start the first few games.
I certainly hope so. I think the likelihood of Hendon reaching those stats are better than us getting to 10 regular season wins. I really hope he can have a great season. He seems to be a great kid and will be a great ambassador for our school after he leaves.
 
#54
#54
It honestly troubles me that so many actually care about a media popularity contest.

While it’s a popularity award it really helps the school in recruiting and perception. You think Lincoln Riley would be held as highly as he is if he didn’t t produce back to back Heisman winners?
 
#55
#55
Wouldn't put it past him to end up in NY in December.

After all, aren't most of the finalists kind of darkhorses going into the season. I mean, BY was kind of anointed last year but that is kind of unusual. Even then, Rattler was also up there in the odds.

Most of the recent winners seem to have come out of the back of the pack and put up a great performance at the right time. If Hook can somehow engineer a defeat of Bama or GA with an otherworldly game while still being merely great the rest of the year, he very well may make it.
 
#56
#56
“Darkhorse Heisman Candidate”?
If he plays at or above the level he was at last year, yes. But it all comes down to wins. 7-5 don’t get you to NY.

Actual Heisman Candidate?
No. Unless UT goes at least 10-2, with a win over UGA or Bama.

Bright side: The fact that we are even talking about it shows what we all know. This offense could be explosive in 2022. If we can play better on defense, the 2022 Vols could be the latest incarnation of the ‘85 Sugar Vols.

That’d be a nice problem to have. For us.

Go Vols.
 
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#57
#57
Unfortunately, we are still missing too many pieces (although the recruiting is great) to be realistic SEC contenders. It would be a shocker for a non-playoff team player to win it this year. The usual suspects all have phenomenal athletes at skill positions.
 
#58
#58
Dobbs could have been a Heisman contender had played under a better coach.

I think Hooker is similar to him except a better passer and not quite the runner but still good.

Needs to run more, and needs Hyatt to emerge as a deep threat. Tillman, Bru, and Calloway can do a lot of damage everywhere else. The two SR TE's need to play on fire.

He absolutely is a dark horse for it.
 
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#59
#59
Here are the stats of 4 Heisman winning quarterbacks that ran offenses similar to ours, high tempo (blur) or air raid style offenses

RG3 2011 - 3,998 passing yds 36 tds, 192.31 pass efficiency/644 yds rushing yds 9 tds. Baylor finished 9-3

Johnny Manziel 2012 - 3419 passing yds 24 tds/1181 rushing yds 19 tds
Texas A&M finished 10-2

Marcus Mariota 2014 - 3783 passing yds 38 tds, pass efficiency 186.33/669 rushing yds 14 tds. Oregon finished reg season 12-1

Lamar Jackson 2016 - 3390 passing yds 30 tds/1538 rushing yds 21 tds
Louisville finished 9-3

Hooker 2021 - 2945 passing yds 31 tds, passing efficiency 182/620 rushing yds 5 tds

Hooker will have to have 1)stats similar to the above winners. 2) a Heisman moment or game similar to Manziel's game against Bama or Jackson's game against FSU. 3) Tennessee win atleast 9 to 10 games 4) Heisman competition with inferior stats, (everyone hates Tennesse curse.)
 
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#61
#61
Dobbs could have been a Heisman contender had played under a better coach.

I think Hooker is similar to him except a better passer and not quite the runner but still good.

Needs to run more, and needs Hyatt to emerge as a deep threat. Tillman, Bru, and Calloway can do a lot of damage everywhere else. The two SR TE's need to play on fire.

He absolutely is a dark horse for it.
You’re absolutely right on Dobbs. No idea how Butch didn’t win the East at least one year with the talent he had.

Again I just don’t see how Hooker can win. He’s phenomenal but really we have to have a defense for us to win some of these games like Georgia or Bama. For him to win I think we have to make the playoffs. It’s not fair or really based strictly on Hooker’s performance but this is a playoff trophy these days imo.
 
#62
#62
The Heisman is pointless ever since Peyton Manning was robbed

While I hear you, fellow Vol'er, I dare say if Hooker wins it. You'll do a 180 degree pivot in your attitude.
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#63
#63
He could get some consideration IF Tennessee became the surprise team in the SEC but I wouldnt expect anything more.
If we were to somehow pull off the miracle hat trick and beat the big three, I think the excitement of the upsets definitely gets him in the final three
 
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