It isn’t exhausting to determine why Hendon Hooker emerged as one of many high NCAA soccer gamers in 2022. His identify has grow to be widespread when collegiate athletes signal new NIL contracts. Early within the 2021 season, Hooker took over because the Tennessee Volunteers’ beginning quarterback and has not appeared again whereas main the offense to spectacular outcomes.
Hendon Hooker’s on-field brilliance ultimately led to NIL offers. In November, Hooker introduced an settlement with Gopher Inc. on Instagram, including yet one more endorsement association to his increasing portfolio.
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The Gopher app presents a neighborhood market for providers and is obtainable by a Raleigh, North Carolina-based enterprise. Clients can specify the worth for any chores they need accomplished, together with chopping grass. In the mean time, Gopher supplies providers within the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. With this most up-to-date association, although, it’s clear that the agency has Knoxville in its sights.
The On3 NIL valuation for Hooker is $1.1 million. Final season, his social media following considerably elevated; it now has over 146,000 followers.
Info from On3 reveals that Hooker has agreements with a small variety of companies as a part of his present NIL. He has labored with a number of companies, together with Dunkin’, Gopher Model Athletes, Municipal, French’s and Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville.
Will Hendon Hooker be chosen within the first spherical?
A number of weeks earlier than the NFL draft, Hendon Hooker obtained hurried visits with NFL groups. Groups are conducting due analysis on a participant who, at 25, has a singular prospect profile. Add to this the conclusion that Hooker is recovering from an ACL tear that prevented him from collaborating in virtually the entire on-field testing earlier than the draft.
Hendon Hooker performed for Virginia Tech for 4 seasons earlier than shifting to Tennessee for his final two. Hooker sometimes excelled for his staff, however the offense he was part of lacked creativeness and the teaching was not the best. Hooker went for lengthy stretches at Virginia Tech and Tennessee with out throwing an interception.
Some organizations might be involved about his age and accidents. Nevertheless, Hooker is a mannequin, a die-hard soccer fan and a participant who retains enhancing. He ought to nonetheless make it to the primary spherical.
Baker Mayfield is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ solely beginning quarterback. Later within the season, Hendon may begin instead of Baker after swiftly choosing up a few of Baker’s information.
Earlier than struggling an damage final yr, Hooker displayed all these skills and was in a powerful place to win the Heisman Trophy. He scored 32 TDs and had a quarterback ranking of 175.5 in simply 12 outings.
