NORMAN, Okla. — Make no mistake, Tennessee’s 2022 football team was the most exciting under current Volunteers fourth-year coach Josh Heupel.
Receiver Jalin Hyatt becoming the first Biletnikoff Award winner in program history. Quarterback Hendon Hooker headed for the Heisman Trophy ceremony until a torn ACL in the 11th game. Of course there was the 52-49 triumph over Alabama, which was followed by cigars lighting up and goalposts coming down inside Neyland Stadium.
Yet make no mistake, this current Tennessee team is the best Heupel has overseen since coming to Knoxville, because it is easily the most complete.
“At the end of the day, if you want to play really high-level football, you have to have a high-level defense,” Heupel said after Saturday night’s 25-15 downing of Oklahoma, “and our guys are playing really well. They’re excited about the way they’re playing, but they also know there is more out there.
“It’s been fun seeing this group continue to grow.”