Greg McElroy made his feelings on Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker absolutely clear during ESPN’s broadcast of the Orange Bowl on Friday evening.

Hooker, unfortunately, tore his ACL in the 4th quarter against South Carolina, ending both his season and college career. He had thrown for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns versus just 2 interceptions to that point, also taking 104 carries for 430 yards and 5 touchdowns.

That said, Hooker was 5th in the Heisman Trophy voting, finishing behind 4th-place Stetson Bennett. McElroy felt that leaving him out of the top 4 was a mistake.

“The fact that he wasn’t in New York is an absolute joke…It’s an absolute joke. You’re gonna tell me this guy isn’t one of the top four players in America? I think you’re crazy. It’s as simple as that. I think he’s that good, and the way he delivered in big moments I think is just terrific.”

Joe Milton, who lost his job to Hooker in 2021, has taken the reins in Hooker’s stead. He has looked good through a half of play at the Orange Bowl against Clemson, going 13-of-18 for 155 yards and a touchdown.

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Sports betting in Tennessee officially launched on November 1, 2020, and many of the largest sportsbooks are live and operating in the volunteer state. Tennessee is only one of a handful of SEC football states with legalized sports betting.