The issue for voters seemed to be that he missed Tennessee’s final game against Vanderbilt, a 56-0 blowout. Hooker had torn his ACL the game before, which effectively ended his 2022 campaign.
The thing is, even with one less game, Hooker’s stats are right up there with the four finalists chosen — all quarterbacks mind you.
Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns with just two interceptions, which just may be the most impressive part of his stat line. He also rushed for 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and he was a huge reason the Volunteers were considered one of the top teams in the nation for much of the season.
Compare Hooker’s stats to the four quarterbacks chosen for the Heisman Trophy ceremony and it would have made more than enough sense for the Tennessee quarterback to get an invite.
Caleb Williams: 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns with four interceptions (66.1 CMP%), 10 rushing touchdowns.
C.J. Stroud: 3,340 yards and 37 touchdowns with six interceptions (66.2 CMP%).
Max Duggan: 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns with four interceptions (64.9 CMP%), six rushing touchdowns.
Stetson Bennett: 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions (68.1 CMP%), seven rushing touchdowns.
Hooker helped the Vols notch wins over No. 20 Florida, No. 25 LSU, No. 3 Alabama and No. 19 Kentucky. In fact, Tennesee’s only loss this regular season came against the No. 1 team in the country, Georgia, which is nothing to scoff at.
Hooker should have been a Heisman Trophy finalist, even if it meant replacing the quarterback who beat him, Stetson Bennett.
He was snubbed.
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