Kirk Herbstreit watched Hendon Hooker in person on Saturday, and understands what the Tennessee quarterback contributed to the Vols this season, as well as college football as a whole.

So when the news came out on Sunday that Hooker suffered a torn ACL in his left leg during the loss to South Carolina, Herbstreit joined a chorus of well wishers in support of Hooker.

“I’ll never forget the yr (Hendon Hooker) had in 2022. Led an explosive offense & did it w/ class-This setback will lead to an even better comeback-Best of luck w/ your surgery & rehab to return even stronger-Thank you for all you did for CFB-really enjoyed following your journey!”

Hooker was in the mix for the Heisman Trophy earlier this season as the Volunteers (9-2) became a surprise team in the College Football Playoff conversation.

He has thrown 27 touchdown passes with just 2 interceptions this season, and engineered the highest-scoring team in the country at 46.5 points per game.

The injury came with the Vols trailing by 18 early in the fourth quarter Saturday when Hooker kept the ball on an option play and went down without being hit. He missed the rest of the game after he hobbled off the field.

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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.