Hendon Hooker could be 2023 NFL Draft Class gem despite his age
Any group missing a real QB1 that’s selecting No. 15 or decrease within the 2023 NFL Draft must take a protracted take a look at former Tennessee Volunteers signal-caller Hendon Hooker. He has his flaws, however on the sphere, they’re no worse than any of the highest quarterback prospects. His are simply totally different. Hooker has splendid measurement, mobility, and arm energy, and he performed in two totally different offenses throughout his faculty profession — albeit one was eternally run-heavy at Virginia Tech.
The hang-up on Hooker, much more than enjoying in Josh Heupel’s quarterback-friendly offense, is his age. He turned 25 years outdated in January. The NFL has been skittish about drafting quarterbacks that age and up for a few years. The priority is each put on and tear on a physique nearer to 30 years outdated than faculty freshman, and in addition the shortage of upside. At 25 years outdated a quarterback ought to be beginning to understand his potential. Educating a participant at that age the skilled sport would require a corporation to be affected person with a participant up till he’s at the very least 28 years outdated.
Why put a critical funding in a collegiate participant in his mid-20s when the choice to pick somebody youthful and be naturally extra affected person with is at all times obtainable? Additionally, Hooker has a second ding towards him. He tore an ACL in November 2022.
Writing off Hooker is straightforward for entrance workplace executives is a straightforward resolution, versus the danger of choosing him during which the consequence might be termination. Nevertheless, even with the crimson flags Hooker continues to be reportedly excessive on many draft boards, and can probably be a first-round choose. Per Subsequent Gen Stats, Hooker has the second-best draft rating of all quarterbacks within the draft, trailing solely Bryce Younger.
In ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s remaining mock draft, he has the Los Angeles Rams buying and selling into the primary spherical to pick him. The rationale for all of this buzz, Hooker is an awfully gifted soccer participant.
Not the identical as his late-20s QB predecessors
Hooker isn’t Chris Weinke or Brandon Weeden. These two spent a university soccer profession enjoying skilled baseball. They later returned to soccer and put up large statistics at their respective colleges. Hell, Weinke gained a Heisman Trophy at Florida State. Nevertheless, they spent years away from the sport, and benefited from loaded offenses. Hooker was on a significant faculty soccer roster instantly after his high-school commencement and solely acquired a fifth 12 months of eligibility due to an airborne virus that shut down the world.
Hooker redshirted his freshman 12 months at VT. Over the following two years, he was not in a position to firmly connect himself to the beginning quarterback job in an offense that averaged 43 carries per sport. He didn’t start both the 2019 or 2020 season as Virginia Tech’s starter. In 2020 he rushed for greater than 600 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry however he wasn’t in a position to maintain the QB1 job even after profitable it again.
In early 2021, Hooker transferred to Tennessee. Once more, he wouldn’t be named Week 1 starter. When starter Joe Milton obtained harm in Week 2, Hooker by no means let go of the spot after finishing 71.4 p.c of his passes and throwing for 2 touchdowns.
Throughout Hooker’s two years at Tennessee, he by no means threw greater than three interceptions or averaged lower than 9.5 yards per try in a season. In 2022, Hooker led Tennessee to its first double-digit win season since 2007 and might need gained the Heisman Trophy had he not suffered that ACL harm within the second to final sport of the common season.
Tennessee’s offense was a weekly spotlight reel, led by Hooker placing the ball on cross catchers’ quantity, hip, high-point spot, wherever it wanted to be on deep balls. He was additionally nonetheless a major contributor within the operating sport with 430 yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom.
In addition to he performed in 2022, Hooker isn’t excellent. Heupel’s offense solely requires a quarterback to learn half of the sphere, so Hooker goes to must develop into snug going farther into his progressions. Additionally, his intermediate accuracy wants work — arguably crucial depth to grasp within the NFL.
For no matter work he wants at 25 years outdated, don’t forget that Hooker pulled off a Patrick Mahomes second final season. He led Tennessee into scoring place in solely 15 seconds, permitting the Vols to defeat Alabama for the primary time since 2006 — the 12 months earlier than Nick Saban took over as head coach.
For many who need to shrink back from Hooker due to his age, turned off by flaws in his sport, or an harm that ought to not forestall him from being wholesome for Week 1, it seems although that the NFL is effectively conscious of the expertise that Hooker possesses. So followers on the market of groups selecting in the course of the primary spherical that want a quarterback, rub your fortunate rabbit’s foot and hope that your squad makes a wise alternative.
