Hendon Hooker Earns Vols’ Highest Heisman Trophy Finish In 25 Years

NEW YORK – He rewrote the Tennessee record books, changed the trajectory of the program and was the catalyst for a memorable Third Saturday of October 2022. On Saturday night, quarterback Hendon Hooker added to his legacy with the highest Heisman Trophy finish by a Volunteer in 25 years with fifth place.

Hooker, who earned 17 first-place votes, recorded 226 points in the final vote. He also was the recipient of the Nissan fan vote. USC’s Caleb Williams (2,031) captured the award followed in order by TCU’s Max Duggan (1,420), Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (539) and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett (349).

Hooker is Tennessee’s highest finisher since Peyton Manning took runner-up honors in 1997. Hooker is the sixth player in Vol history to secure a top-five finish. The others include: George Cafego (4th – 1939), Hank Lauricella (2nd – 1951), Johnny Majors (2nd – 1956), Heath Shuler (2nd – 1993) and Manning.

Hooker, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, was the captain of the nation’s No. 1 offense in leading the Vols to their first 10-win regular season since 2003. He accounted for 3,565 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns this season. He was the only player in the nation with 25 or more touchdown passes and two or fewer interceptions.

The SEC Offensive Player of the Year as selected by the league’s coaches and Associated Press, Hooker led the conference in total offense (324.1), passing efficiency (175.51), completion percentage (69.6), points responsible for per game (17.6) and yards per pass attempt (9.53). He led the nation in yards per attempt and was second nationally in passing efficiency.

Tennessee Heisman Trophy Finishes
1938: George Cafego—Tailback (7th, 55 votes)
1939: George Cafego—Tailback (4th, 296 votes)
1940: Bob Suffridge—Guard (6th)
1951: Hank Lauricella—Tailback (2nd, 424 votes)
1956: Johnny Majors—Tailback (2nd, 994 votes)
1964: Steve DeLong—Middle Guard (8th, 176 votes)
1967: Bob Johnson—Center (6th, 76 votes)
1967: Dewey Warren—Quarterback (8th, 56 votes)
1969: Steve Kiner—Linebacker (9th, 109 votes)
1973: Condredge Holloway—Quarterback (14th, 98 votes)
1976: Larry Seivers—Wide Receiver (12th)
1993: Heath Shuler—Quarterback (2nd, 688 votes)
1995: Peyton Manning—Quarterback (6th, 109 votes)
1996: Peyton Manning—Quarterback (8th, 81 votes)
1997: Peyton Manning—Quarterback (2nd, 1543 votes)
2022: Hendon Hooker—Quarterback (5th, 226 points)