Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) is assisted off the field after suffering an apparent injury against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Outpouring of support rolls in for QB Hendon Hooker following injury in loss to South Carolina

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker gained a lot of fans this season with his spectacular play. They paid respect to the QB after he suffered a lower-body non-contact injury in the fourth quarter of the team's 63-38 loss to South Carolina and didn't return.

The loss puts an end to Tennessee's playoff hopes. Even worse is the game potentially serving as Hooker's swan song. The fifth-year senior entered November as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy and his NFL draft stock rising to the level of him being considered a first-round talent.

Hooker is 229-of-329 (69.6 percent) for 3,135 and 27 touchdowns with two interceptions this season.

Losses to Georgia and South Carolina put a dent in his Heisman candidacy and depending on the severity of the leg injury, his draft stock could be greatly impacted.

It would be unfair for Hooker's college career to end on such a sour note. Because of his play this year, we witnessed both what makes this sport so much fun to watch and also what makes it difficult. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
LeBron James rues 'missed opportunities' against Nuggets
Cardinals star gives update on timeline for injury rehab
Police investigating Patrick Beverley incident
J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi could surpass two major MLS records
Reporter weighs in on potential Giants quarterback controversy
Cowboys to release veteran WR
Lakers want Anthony Davis' opinion in search for next head coach
Patriots exec explains why team drafted two QBs in 2024 NFL Draft
Borussia Dortmund legend 'considering' move to MLS
NHL announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists
Mavericks' Luka Doncic lists Thunder swingman among best perimeter defenders in NBA
Cowboys reportedly meeting with recently released veteran WR
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx
Mike Conley discusses what makes Anthony Edwards so special
J.J. Watt and others destroy Austin Rivers over NBA/NFL take
Celtics dominate short-handed Cavaliers in blowout Game 1 win
Rangers special teams, goaltending help them take control against Hurricanes

Want more Volunteers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.