Hendon Hooker vs Will Levis through 4 games.

[WyleECoyote]

Since there is all this Heisman hype for Hendon Hooker apparently, I looked at Levis's stats and compared them.

Hooker 71.7% Completion, 1193 yards passing, 8 TD, sacked 8 times, 175 yards rushing, 3 TD, 0 INT

Levis 67.5% Completion. 1185 yards passing, 10 TD, sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing, 2 TD, 4 INT

So Levis has 1 more total TD, and sacks have taken his rushing yardage away, but Levis and Hooker are very even otherwise in numbers.

 

[PersianCat387]

Since there is all this Heisman hype for Hendon Hooker apparently, I looked at Levis's stats and compared them.

Hooker 71.7% Completion, 1193 yards passing, 8 TD, sacked 8 times, 175 yards rushing, 3 TD, 0 INT

Levis 67.5% Completion. 1185 yards passing, 10 TD, sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing, 2 TD, 4 INT

So Levis has 1 more total TD, and sacks have taken his rushing yardage away, but Levis and Hooker are very even otherwise in numbers.

Definitely think Levis is the better prospect, but the Heupel/Hooker combo is pretty scary. Florida was bascially unable to stop them unless UT stopped themsevles. Pitt was basically the same after a quarter or so. They've barely had to punt, even having played 2 good teams. Not something we can say.

 

[Dddjdd]

No INTs is impressive for Hooker but don’t see him as a Heisman candidate. We’ll continue learning about both as the teams hit SEC play. Levis’ numbers against SEC teams last year don’t really jump off the page. Hooker plays in a gimmicky offense so it’s hard to compare.

 

[Smashcat]

sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing

😐

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

All I remember is not being able to stop their offense last season. Little worrisome. But can’t be scared. Let’s go.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

We sit back last year hoping for a mistake. Not the type of guy to do that way. He doesn't miss much, so he is going to burn you most of the time. Pressure might make him a little less effective. He is always too clean and up right after a game.

 

[WyleECoyote]

I'm just saying numbers wise, they are very similar through 4 games, and both have only played Florida for an SEC opponent.

 

[Ed323232]

He’s a good QB that is helped by the system he is in. Levis is the better pro prospect. That game could be wild.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Neither are Heisman contenders and that will be proven out over the season. They are different qbs but do have similar stats.

 

[Phil McKracken]

Pretty sure I know which one I want on this UK team.

and Hooker ain't winning the Heisman.

 

[gossie21]

It's not like Levis is without hype. Mel Kiper just had him as his #4 overall prospect.

Hooker has been really good this season, and playing in Heupel's offense is a potent combo. While their numbers are close right now, Hooker hasn't played full games against their weaker opponents, and Tennessee has done more damage on the ground than UK has so far.

But I don't think it's fair to either player to compare them head to head, or by looking at stats. The offensive philosophy of their respective head coaches couldn't be further apart.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Since there is all this Heisman hype for Hendon Hooker apparently, I looked at Levis's stats and compared them.

Hooker 71.7% Completion, 1193 yards passing, 8 TD, sacked 8 times, 175 yards rushing, 3 TD, 0 INT

Levis 67.5% Completion. 1185 yards passing, 10 TD, sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing, 2 TD, 4 INT

So Levis has 1 more total TD, and sacks have taken his rushing yardage away, but Levis and Hooker are very even otherwise in numbers.

Hooker doesn’t turn the ball over and is in the perfect system/coach for his skillset, I think levis has more long term potential though

 

[Girthang]

It's interesting, but doesn't tell the tale yet. When the regular season is over, we'll best be able to compare them. Right now it doesn't mean anything. What matters right now is that it is Kentucky hurting Kentucky more than our opponents are hurting us. We need to get things cleaned up before we can talk about awards and accomplishments.

First test is Saturday

 

[sluggercatfan]

I'm just saying numbers wise, they are very similar through 4 games, and both have only played Florida for an SEC opponent.

And we beat Fla more convincingly, but honestly l think Hooker is the better qb at this moment.

 

[WyleECoyote]

And we beat Fla more convincingly, but honestly l think Hooker is the better qb at this moment.

I've not watched Tennessee enough to know. I just watched a few plays here and there flipping channels during the Florida game. I just heard KSR talking about how Hooker was being hyped as the 3rd candidate for Heisman, and how he was putting up big numbers so I decided to look. I saw them, they weren't eye popping, so I decided to compare them to our own Levis, and found that as a passer, very similar even though Tennessee is supposedly more prolific than us. Thought it would lead to a good discussion post, and I see a lot of people seem to enjoy discussing. So mission accomplished.

 

[jnewc2]

Since there is all this Heisman hype for Hendon Hooker apparently, I looked at Levis's stats and compared them.

Hooker 71.7% Completion, 1193 yards passing, 8 TD, sacked 8 times, 175 yards rushing, 3 TD, 0 INT

Levis 67.5% Completion. 1185 yards passing, 10 TD, sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing, 2 TD, 4 INT

So Levis has 1 more total TD, and sacks have taken his rushing yardage away, but Levis and Hooker are very even otherwise in numbers.

Hooker benefits from playing in a gimmicky offense that pads a bunch of stats. Put Hooker in a pro style offense and he wouldn’t have half the stats he has. Levis is a far better QB, there’s a reason scouts are drooling over him. Stick Levis in that hurry up, spread offense and he would put up ungodly numbers.

 

[Blue63Madison]

I hate UT. I have hated them since the Stokely years. Our daughter is a UT grad. She dresses our granddaughters in that disgusting orange, every single game day. I hate it. But I can’t hate Hendon Hooker.

I love Will Levis. I have since the day he arrived on campus. I wish he was my forever UK quarterback. His potential is crazy. As a person and as a QB. But he has that turnover issue. We can pretend it’s not an issue, but it is.

I hate UT, but after four weeks … Hooker is way ahead of Levis. I’d vote for HH for Heisman today.

 

[jauk11]

I've not watched Tennessee enough to know. I just watched a few plays here and there flipping channels during the Florida game. I just heard KSR talking about how Hooker was being hyped as the 3rd candidate for Heisman, and how he was putting up big numbers so I decided to look. I saw them, they weren't eye popping, so I decided to compare them to our own Levis, and found that as a passer, very similar even though Tennessee is supposedly more prolific than us. Thought it would lead to a good discussion post, and I see a lot of people seem to enjoy discussing. So mission accomplished.

Pretty wIley post, not bad for a coyote.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Hooker benefits from playing in a gimmicky offense that pads a bunch of stats. Put Hooker in a pro style offense and he wouldn’t have half the stats he has. Levis is a far better QB, there’s a reason scouts are drooling over him. Stick Levis in that hurry up, spread offense and he would put up ungodly numbers.

Lots of people said the same about Couch and Mumme, but Tim went #1.

 

[YaketySax]

Hooker beat Pitt on the road which is more impressive than any win UK has this year especially if Florida finishes 6-6 or 7-5.

Doesn’t mean Levis winning big road games won’t flip the script for him but also have to keep in mind competition too. Two MAC schools, FCS team, and possible an average Florida team make the team grade incomplete to many.

 

[Mark80]

All I remember is not being able to stop their offense last season. Little worrisome. But can’t be scared. Let’s go.

We had 600 yards total offense 99 plays they didn’t stop us either I like our chances with this offense

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

We had 600 yards total offense 99 plays they didn’t stop us either I like our chances with this offense

I know this. Worried we will stop ourselves with couple of turnovers.

 

[weused2luvhim]

Well Hooker is almost 30 so that has to be taken into account.

 

[Emarc]

Better worry about the Rebels.

 

[Soupbean]

Since there is all this Heisman hype for Hendon Hooker apparently, I looked at Levis's stats and compared them.

Hooker 71.7% Completion, 1193 yards passing, 8 TD, sacked 8 times, 175 yards rushing, 3 TD, 0 INT

Levis 67.5% Completion. 1185 yards passing, 10 TD, sacked 16 times, -37 yards rushing, 2 TD, 4 INT

So Levis has 1 more total TD, and sacks have taken his rushing yardage away, but Levis and Hooker are very even otherwise in numbers.

The stat that stands out is of course the rushing yards and I believe its because of how Hooker looks to take out of the pocket more where Will doesnt.

I was going to mention this last week before your post but the thing that makes Hooker and the Tennessee offense so dangerous is not just the hurry up style but the fact Hooker is so good at scrambling when his options are not there. He makes some back breaking runs that kill a defense.

The defense is already under stress trying to get lined up and cover their guys in press mode, and your front seven is trying hard to get to him, but that jus makes you that much more vulnerable to the scramble if he is able to elude the rush. And I believe he is good at doing that because he's consiously looking for that option earlier that Will does.

Will doesnt feel the rush that well and tends to hold it looking for option 3 and 4 sometimes and thats because he knows he has a cannon that can drill it in there last minute unlike most. But I wish they would instruct him to look to get out of there earlier after options 1 and 2 arent there because those can be big pickups. And he's athletic enough to do that but you have to be consious of the rush to make the elusive move to avoid it and thats where Hooker has an edge in that department. Hooker also has an edge with the hurry up offense as that alone makes defenses play on their heels IMO, but his scrambling is still what makes takes their offense to another level. Just to be clear I'm not talking about RPO or called QB runs, I'm just talking about scrambling and making plays form that alone.

 

[CB3UK]

I only watched Hooker in their Pitt game so I can't say whether I think Will is better or not. I think we've got another high scoring duel like last year in store. Can't wait for the Tennessee game, they are the absolute worst.

 

[rudd1]

-I sports hate tennessee as much as anyone.

-that said I like Hooker. Very good qb and seems like a decent young man.

-they play in two completely different systems: pro style vs air raid. Apples/bananas.

^I prefer Levis.

-we'll find out which *team* is better 10/29.

 

[Girthang]

I hate UT. I have hated them since the Stokely years. Our daughter is a UT grad. She dresses our granddaughters in that disgusting orange, every single game day. I hate it. But I can’t hate Hendon Hooker.

I love Will Levis. I have since the day he arrived on campus. I wish he was my forever UK quarterback. His potential is crazy. As a person and as a QB. But he has that turnover issue. We can pretend it’s not an issue, but it is.

I hate UT, but after four weeks … Hooker is way ahead of Levis. I’d vote for HH for Heisman today.

L.o.l.

 

[jacobbleedsblue]

The difference might be what type of defense each QB plays opposite of. I like UK in that matchup.

 

[Backer cutter]

I hate UT. I have hated them since the Stokely years. Our daughter is a UT grad. She dresses our granddaughters in that disgusting orange, every single game day. I hate it. But I can’t hate Hendon Hooker.

I love Will Levis. I have since the day he arrived on campus. I wish he was my forever UK quarterback. His potential is crazy. As a person and as a QB. But he has that turnover issue. We can pretend it’s not an issue, but it is.

I hate UT, but after four weeks … Hooker is way ahead of Levis. I’d vote for HH for Heisman today.

You obviously didn’t raise your kids right. It’s ok, parenting is hard. We all make mistakes. But how tf does your grandchild wind up in orange? Seriously? JK. Not really lol.

 

[Brentutk1]

In his time at Tennessee, Hooker has 45 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. That's the stat.

 

[Gromcat]

First of all Hooker is 24 years old. He’s not that good all things considered. I’ve seen better 18 year olds. Once again Tennessee is being overhyped and I’ll love the fall that much more.

Tennessee has no secondary and weak defense. It’s a gimmicky “try and out score” opponents that Tennessee fans used to laugh at when Meyer first got to Florida. Now they’re tying to be the cool kid. For the UTjr fans that have not converted to Bama fans by now, they know the fall is coming. Bama is going to crucify them, and that streak is going to end up the longest in SEC play. Tennessee is a joke of a program with a manager from tractor supply as their head coach. Perfect fit.

 

[NoDef]

We sit back last year hoping for a mistake. Not the type of guy to do that way. He doesn't miss much, so he is going to burn you most of the time.

We had some major screw ups early on that hurt us.

Hooker doesn’t turn the ball over and is in the perfect system/coach for his skillset, I think levis has more long term potential though

Hooker has some really good receivers in the perfect system. I've seen him miss plenty of wide open receivers this year..

I hate UT. I have hated them since the Stokely years. Our daughter is a UT grad. She dresses our granddaughters in that disgusting orange, every single game day. I hate it. But I can’t hate Hendon Hooker.

I love Will Levis. I have since the day he arrived on campus. I wish he was my forever UK quarterback. His potential is crazy. As a person and as a QB. But he has that turnover issue. We can pretend it’s not an issue, but it is.

I hate UT, but after four weeks … Hooker is way ahead of Levis. I’d vote for HH for Heisman today.

We play a pro style system that values both sides of the ball. The gripe on UT is always that their defense is "gassed" because of how fast they try to play. If you run that many more plays then offensive stats are going to be superior..

The stat that stands out is of course the rushing yards and I believe its because of how Hooker looks to take out of the pocket more where Will doesnt.

I was going to mention this last week before your post but the thing that makes Hooker and the Tennessee offense so dangerous is not just the hurry up style but the fact Hooker is so good at scrambling when his options are not there. He makes some back breaking runs that kill a defense.

The defense is already under stress trying to get lined up and cover their guys in press mode, and your front seven is trying hard to get to him, but that jus makes you that much more vulnerable to the scramble if he is able to elude the rush. And I believe he is good at doing that because he's consiously looking for that option earlier that Will does.

Will doesnt feel the rush that well and tends to hold it looking for option 3 and 4 sometimes and thats because he knows he has a cannon that can drill it in there last minute unlike most. But I wish they would instruct him to look to get out of there earlier after options 1 and 2 arent there because those can be big pickups. And he's athletic enough to do that but you have to be consious of the rush to make the elusive move to avoid it and thats where Hooker has an edge in that department. Hooker also has an edge with the hurry up offense as that alone makes defenses play on their heels IMO, but his scrambling is still what makes takes their offense to another level. Just to be clear I'm not talking about RPO or called QB runs, I'm just talking about scrambling and making plays form that alone.

Levis offensive coordinator doesn't want him to run as much. Too many big hits make for a short career. He may get hurt anyway, but why put Levis at risk if you are going to win anyway?

 

[Girthang]

Hooker beat Pitt on the road which is more impressive than any win UK has this year especially if Florida finishes 6-6 or 7-5.

If... As of right now, however, beating 12th ranked Florida in the Swamp, in the 2nd game, by 10, without CRod and 2 seasoned veterans at the tackle position, and giving them points without allowing them to score through the air or put up 300 yds of offense is much more impressive

than

Beating 20th ranked Florida by 5, at home, while giving up 2x the points, and allowing them to score by run or by pass, allowing them to put up over 500 yards of offense, after we'd already beaten them.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

We had some major screw ups early on that hurt us.

Hooker has some really good receivers in the perfect system. I've seen him miss plenty of wide open receivers this year..

We play a pro style system that values both sides of the ball. The gripe on UT is always that their defense is "gassed" because of how fast they try to play. If you run that many more plays then offensive stats are going to be superior..

Levis offensive coordinator doesn't want him to run as much. Too many big hits make for a short career. He may get hurt anyway, but why put Levis at risk if you are going to win anyway?

He also has only thrown 3 interceptions in 2 seasons so he is a good QB

 

[southindycat]

Hendon Hooker: Looks like a jack o' lantern in his uni half the time.

Will Levis: Eats and drinks weird things... and never looks like a jack o' lantern in his uni.

Advantage: Levis

 

[NewWorldKat]

If... As of right now, however, beating 12th ranked Florida in the Swamp, in the 2nd game, by 10, without CRod and 2 seasoned veterans at the tackle position, and giving them points without allowing them to score through the air or put up 300 yds of offense is much more impressive

than

Beating 20th ranked Florida by 5, at home, while giving up 2x the points, and allowing them to score by run or by pass, allowing them to put up over 500 yards of offense, after we'd already beaten them.

Put up 350 yards passing on UF missing his primary WR and playing hurt.

 

[Soupbean]

We had some major screw ups early on that hurt us.

Hooker has some really good receivers in the perfect system. I've seen him miss plenty of wide open receivers this year..

We play a pro style system that values both sides of the ball. The gripe on UT is always that their defense is "gassed" because of how fast they try to play. If you run that many more plays then offensive stats are going to be superior..

Levis offensive coordinator doesn't want him to run as much. Too many big hits make for a short career. He may get hurt anyway, but why put Levis at risk if you are going to win anyway?

Understand, but in bigger games he's going to have to make some of these plays with his feet for us to win I believe. And as I've pointed out before, 90% of QB injuries are standing in the pocket and not scramling. Much harder to protect the body when you arent braced and bodies are falling all around you and into you. Doesnt even take a big hit, just a fall in the wrong spot.

 

[WyleECoyote]

Understand, but in bigger games he's going to have to make some of these plays with his feet for us to win I believe. And as I've pointed out before, 90% of QB injuries are standing in the pocket and not scramling. Much harder to protect the body when you arent braced and bodies are falling all around you and into you. Doesnt even take a big hit, just a fall in the wrong spot.

Exactly if Will is going to be taking hits anyway, I'd rather him take those hits getting us positive yardage.

 

[Girthang]

Exactly if Will is going to be taking hits anyway, I'd rather him take those hits getting us positive yardage.

Then you really have to make a decision. Do you want to him to hang in the pocket to make the big plays down field, the ones that need 3-4 seconds to develop? Or do you want him to bail to try to pick up yardage running the ball? Most have been clamoring for big plays in the passing game...

Right now good teams are playing gap discipline to try to prevent it. They're strategically bringing the house like NIU did and maintaining lanes of attack to try to limit his scrambling. We need to keep teams off balance of course to prevent them stacking the box or dropping deep, but we have to decide on and perfect a blocking scheme (or two).

You likely know all this already, and I'm not saying it well because of lack of time