Chris Hannon has been quiet most of the season.

The Volunteers’ sophomore wide receiver had only made one significant impact on the year – a five-catch, 95-yard effort in an Oct. 4 loss at Auburn.

But after his three-touchdown, 69-yard performance against Mississippi State Saturday, Hannon found something to talk about.

“Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh wide receiver) is up for the Heisman and he’s a sophomore like me,'” Hannon said. “That’s my goal, to be up for the Heisman or to be in the Heisman race. That’s what I’m trying to get to.”

Tying the Tennessee record for touchdown receptions in one game isn’t too shabby, but Hannon still has a few hurdles on his way to the award for the nation’s best player.

Other than the Auburn and MSU games, the young wideout has recorded only seven receptions in Tennessee’s other eight games.

Hannon said he knew inconsistency may appear to be an issue, but he felt like he had been consistent all year. He said the development of the Vols’ receiving corps has kept one UT wide receiver from rising to the top.

“I looked at guys like Mark Jones and James Banks making all those touchdowns, but there really wasn’t anything I could do,” Hannon said. “I worked hard in practice and I was really proud of them.”

And Banks said he was equally as proud of Hannon Saturday.

“He (Chris Hannon) definitely came out today,” Banks said. “I’m really proud of him. If you could’ve seen, from the beginning of the season, how hard he’s worked. He’s become a complete player since then.”

Even when Hannon’s moment came against the Tigers, though, he said he had to learn to be patient.

“The week after that against Georgia I had like one catch,” Hannon said. “It was like a reality check.

“You’ve just gotta play hard no matter who you’re playing against.”

Hannon will have to hold that lesson to heart this week. When Tennessee takes on Vanderbilt this Saturday, the Vol offense will face the nation’s 16th-ranked passing defense.

With the Commodores only ranked 88th facing the run, Hannon and the rest of the Vol receivers might see less opportunities to touch the ball.

But Hannon said what opportunities he’s had thus far have already been a blessing.

“I didn’t think it was going to come this season,” Hannon said. “When you practice real hard good things come to you.”

Hannon’s quarterback and head coach have both noticed the hard work.

“In the past three or four weeks, going back to the week against Auburn, he’s really stepped up his game,” UT quarterback Casey Clausen said.

“Obviously it starts on the practice field and he’s worked real hard.”

UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said Hannon is “going to be a good player.

“Sometimes the statistics can get skewed a little bit because they look one way and they’re really another. But in Chris’ case, he’s one of those guys who is making good progress.”

The player teammates call “Spiderman” said he’ll be happy as long as the Vols keep winning.

“As long as the team is going fine, I don’t care,” Hannon said. “Even if I only get one or two passes.

“At Miami I was in front of my home fans and I didn’t get any passes, but I was just happy that we won.”

With just two games left, Hannon should see several opportunities to display the promising future at the position he didn’t even play in high school.

A converted quarterback, Hannon has learned to deal with being less involved in the game. And aside from the position change, as a freshman, he had to get over the stigma of playing behind one of Tennessee’s best receivers.

“Last year it was, ‘You’re Kelley Washington’s backup,” Hannon said. “Hopefully before I leave, I can get my name higher than his.”

Saturday was a good start.