KNOXVILLE, TN – With the 2023 NFL Draft roughly three weeks away in Kansas City, many fans and draftniks are familiar with QB prospects such as CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, a new name is now rising up on draft boards in Hendon Hooker.
Hooker, a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, set the college football world on fire with a breakout year down in Rocky Top in throwing for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. In what was arguably his Heisman moment, he outdueled then-reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young in passing for 385 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, in a thrilling 52-49 upset win over No.3 Alabama.
The game would ultimately boost the Vols into the initial CFP rankings and Hooker’s own Heisman platform before a season-ending ACL injury derailed those hopes.
Considered one of the top QBs in the country last season, the 25-year-old Hooker is roughly four years older than the other top prospects, which may scare front office personnel, as well as coming off the aforementioned torn ACL he suffered vs. South Carolina, suspect athleticism and accuracy.
In addition to operating in Josh Heupel’s wide-open offense that surrounded Hooker with loads of talent including possible late first-rounder in Biletnikoff Award winner WR Jalin Hyatt, who caught 67 passes from Hooker for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
At 6’3 and 217 pounds, Hooker is physical, strong, and athletic for his size and exudes a veteran-like demeanor in going thru his progressions with ease, shows good touch in pushing the ball vertically down the field, and when necessary, is a decent runner who is deceptively fast in the open field.
Due to these attributes, Hooker is drawing comparisons to Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith, whom he might ironically replace if Seattle feels he is worth a gamble in sitting behind a veteran and learning the NFL game.
Perhaps former Jets and Dolphins general manager and current ESPN analyst, Mike Tannenbaum was onto something when he mocked Hooker to the Seahawks at No.5, as there are growing rumors that hooker is catching the eye of “multiple teams”, the question is which one is going to reach for a soon-to-be 26-year-old QB coming off of injury playing in the toughest conference in college football.
Three weeks out from Kansas City, we will all just have to wait and see for the answer.