Vols Will Reportedly Start Hendon Hooker Against Mizzou if Healthy
In the upcoming Week 5 matchup against the Missouri Tigers, Hendon Hooker, who has started the previous two games for Tennessee at quarterback, will start if he is healthy according to WBIR Vols insider John Brice.
After having a productive day against Florida with over 200 yards passing and two touchdowns, Hooker took a big hit in the fourth quarter that resulted in the Virginia Tech transfer exiting the game afterwards. Joe Milton, who started in the Vols first two games of the season, replaced the injured Hooker in the final quarter.
Fast-forward to this week, and Hooker's availability is uncertain. However, WBIR's Karthik Vankatarman states that there is "considerable optimism he will be available against the Tigers," and that "the starting spot is his as long as he stays healthy and is playing well." Vankatarman also notes that Hooker has gotten quite a few reps with the first team in this week's practices. Josh Heupel has even said said on "Vol Calls," the Vol Network's weekly radio show, that "Hendon has been able to practice that last couple of days," but that "[It's] not his normal amount of work, but he's been able to get work in."
In roughly two-and-a-half games, Hooker currently has 46 completions on 70 attempts for 613 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. The senior also has 136 more yards on the ground on 31 carries with an additional score. If the Greensboro, North Carolina native cannot give it a go against Missouri on the road this weekend, Josh Heupel will likely turn to Michigan transfer Joe Milton, who has 20 completions on 43 attempts for 243 yards and one touchdown, with 104 yards on the ground on 20 carries and two touchdowns.
