Quarterback Hendon Hooker announced Dec. 12 he will return to Tennessee in 2022 as a super senior.
Hooker met with media Tuesday and discussed his decision to return in 2022.
“Really, it was just prayer, talking to my family and the coaches as well, getting their feedback on what they thought of my season and my production,” he said. “I have gotten a couple of grades back. It’s really about just trusting the process, like I’ve always done, keeping my head down, working hard and controlling what I can control.”
Hooker was asked how he told Josh Heupel of his intentions in returning next season.
The 6-foot-4, 218-pound signal-caller said it was very casual in how he told Heupel he was returning. Hooker mentioned he and Heupel were walking off the field and the first year Tennessee head coach asked what his plans were for next season.
“I said I’m going to come back next year, and he was like ‘Oh, OK, yeah I’m excited – let’s go to Atlanta,’” Hooker said. “I was like, ‘Yes sir, let’s make it happen.’”
Hooker completed 180-of-261 passes for 2,567 yards, 26 touchdowns and three interceptions during the 2021 regular season. He totaled 561 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Hooker transferred to Tennessee from Virginia Tech ahead of the 2021 season. He totaled 2,894 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 1,033 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns during his Virginia Tech career.
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