Jabari Small
FILE - Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker plays against Purdue in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. Hooker goes into his sixth season as the starter. He earned the job last season after coming off the bench to set program records for a 181.4 passing efficiency and a 68% completion percentage. Hooker also threw 31 touchdowns with only three interceptions. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Tennessee Vols look for more wins in Heupel's 2nd season

By Teresa M. Walker Aug. 16, 2022 10:06 AM EDT

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohn holds up the trophy after Purdue beat Tennessee 48-45 in overtime to win the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Purdue outlasts Tennessee 48-45 in OT in Music City Bowl

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 30, 2021 08:00 PM EST

FILE — Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talks on his headset during an NCAA college football game against Georgia, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee is scheduled to face Purdue in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Vols look to make statement vs Purdue in Music City Bowl

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 29, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Purdue to face surging Tennessee in Music City Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 05:57 PM EST

Vanderbilt running back Rocko Griffin (24) dives into the end zone ahead of Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee hands rival Vanderbilt season-ending loss, 45-21

By Al Lesar Nov. 27, 2021 07:17 PM EST

Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals (8) throws to a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:19 PM EST

South Alabama tight end Lincoln Sefcik (88) runs into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker leads Tennessee's rout of South Alabama 60-14

By Al Lesar Nov. 20, 2021 11:17 PM EST

South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) turns to hand the ball during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
South Alabama at Tennessee 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 07:27 PM EST

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) catches a 72-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Hooker's 4 TDs help Tennessee top No. 18 Kentucky 45-42

By Gary B. Graves Nov. 06, 2021 11:15 PM EDT

Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) catches a 72-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Tennessee at Kentucky 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 09:11 PM EDT

Mississippi running back Snoop Conner (24) is lifted by offensive lineman Orlando Umana (51) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 13 Ole Miss beats Tennessee 31-26; fans pelt field

By Al Lesar Oct. 17, 2021 12:30 AM EDT

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) looks to a receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 08:59 PM EDT

Tennessee running back Jabari Small warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Southeast Missouri State at Tennessee Tech 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Florida head coach Dan Mullen, left, and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel greet each other before an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Tennessee at Florida 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 06:37 PM EDT

Tennessee running back Tiyon Evans (8) dives in for a touchdown as he's hit by Tennessee Tech linebacker Seth Carlisle (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Hooker in on 4 TDs, leads Tennessee to easy win, 56-0

By Al Lesar Sep. 18, 2021 03:49 PM EDT

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel yells to his players during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Vols hope to fix flaws against Tennessee Tech no matter QB

By Al Lesar Sep. 16, 2021 11:01 AM EDT

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) celebrates a touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Pickett leads Pitt past Tennessee, 41-34

By Al Lesar Sep. 11, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) looks for a receiver during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Pittsburgh at Tennessee 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 11:45 AM EDT

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) celebrates a touchdown against Bowling Green with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Heupel's debut ends in Tennessee's 38-6 win

By Al Lesar Sep. 03, 2021 12:05 AM EDT

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel walks past fans during the Vol Walk before an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Bowling Green at Tennessee 9/2/2021

Sep. 02, 2021 06:23 PM EDT