Hendon Hooker marveled the college football world in 2022. The Tennessee quarterback led his Vols to one of their most prominent seasons in recent memory. Hooker dazzled and played so well that he was a serious Heisman Trophy candidate into November. Unfortunately, fate struck in a cruel way, as Hooker sustained a knee injury that forced him off the field and into the NFL Draft pool.
Despite that injury, Hooker remains confident that he can help a team out. Three months out from the NFL Draft, the former Tennessee quarterback commented on Tuesday about what teams can expect from him.
“It will be a better version of Hendon Hooker, the best we’ve seen yet,” he told ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel.
Thamel notes that Hooker won’t participate in Senior Bowl activities, but will still attend the event to meet with several teams as the NFL Draft process ignites.
Prior to the knee injury, Hooker figured to be an interesting NFL Draft prospect. His play obviously dazzled many, and his measurables line up. But at 25, he’d be in a fascinating spot. His talent level is rock-solid, all things considered, but he may have served as a bridge quarterback and to give a QB room some more competition.
Now, after his injury, it’s unclear where he will land in the 2023 NFL Draft. But no matter where it is, don’t expect Hendon Hooker to be backing away from believing he can still sling it.
[ESPN]
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022