Ourlads' Profile:
2023 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about HENDON HOOKER:
Tennessee | H: 6033 W: 221 40: 4.90 A: 3300 H: 1012 W: 7914
Four-year starter, Greensboro, NC. Spent four seasons at Virginia Tech and two at Tennessee. SEC Offensive Player of the Year and third team All-America. Took over the starting job for Tennessee a couple weeks into the 2021 season and changed the trajectory of the program. A year later he nearly led them to the College Football Playoffs. Playing under the Air Raid scheme, Hooker proved he can drop the ball in a bucket downfield, create with his legs, and play a tough brand of football. A torn ACL late in the year and the fact he is already 25 years old can cause some hesitation when looking at the long-term projection. This is a top-shelf young man with talent and proven success at the highest level of college football. At the very least, he is a great addition to the quarterback room with the upside of a solid starter. A pro-body from top to bottom. Thick, but functional muscle mass with some extra below the waist. Twitchy feet that are sudden to get set post-snap. Shows urgency to get the ball out. Excellent deep ball touch and accuracy. Has the burst and acceleration to outrun first and second level defenders routinely. Will stand tall and strong in the pocket. Shows no fear of getting hit. Plays patient when he needs to. Normally makes solid reads and can find alternate receivers. Stands up after getting knocked down and will be capable of leading a team. A late bloomer who did not succeed until he was put into the Air Raid scheme. At times locks onto his initial target. Inconsistent feel in the pocket. Often runs into a dead end, does not forecast where the open space will exist. Release needs to speed up and be more consistent. Accuracy woes show up on short and intermediate passes. Ball control issues have come a long way, but still need to be tightened up. Coming off a torn ACL will likely impede his rookie season. Hooker is a mature, battle-tested leader with an equal distribution of talent from his arm and legs that will be a great addition to a quarterback room with quality starters-upside.
2022 Stats: 229/329, 3135 yds, 69.6%, 27 TD, 2 INT, 430 yds rushing, 5 TD, 175.5 QB rating. 1st/2nd round.