Tag: Hendon Hooker

Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker watches players stretch during training camp on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, in Allen Park.

Lions open practice window for rookie QB Hendon Hooker

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions designated quarterback Hendon Hooker for return from the non-football injury list, opening a 21-day practice window for the rookie who tore his ACL more than a year ago while still in college.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell earlier this week signaled the team’s plan to do it.

“By rule we can’t coach him, so that’s why,” Campbell said Monday. “We can have him in meetings, but he can’t be out there and going through any fundamental work. You’ve just got to kind of stand there. So, that’s where it helps, to be able to actually do individual work with him, have him take a snap. That’s why it’s big.”

The Lions spent a third-round pick on Hooker in this year’s draft, making him the fifth quarterback selected.

Hooker was trending toward being a Heisman Trophy finalist during a second straight stellar season for the Tennessee Volunteers and wound up fifth in Heisman voting after throwing for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions over 11 games.

However, his 2022 season ended abruptly when he tore the ACL in his left knee in a game against South Carolina on Nov. 19, 2022.

Teddy Bridgewater is the primary backup to starter Jared Goff. The Lions also have David Blough on the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Missouri in Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. RANK 1 Volsmizzou1112 1558

Lions take QB Hendon Hooker in third round of NFL draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Hendon Hooker could be the future franchise quarterback in the Motor City after the Detroit Lions used an early-third-round selection to take the Tennessee product in the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday night in Kansas City, Mo.

Hooker was the fifth quarterback to be drafted, following Alabama’s Bryce Young (No. 1 overall to Carolina), Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (No. 2 to Houston), Florida’s Anthony Richardson (No. 4 to Indianapolis) and Kentucky’s Will Levis (No. 33 to Tennessee).

The Lions reached the playoffs last season with Jared Goff as their starting quarterback. Goff, 28, is signed through 2024. Nate Sudfeld was the only other quarterback on the roster entering Friday.

Hooker was trending toward being a Heisman Trophy finalist during a second straight stellar season for the Volunteers and wound up fifth in Heisman voting after throwing for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions over 11 games.

However, his 2022 season ended abruptly when he tore the ACL in his left knee in a game against South Carolina on Nov. 19.

In an article published Tuesday, Hooker told The Athletic that he expects to be “100 percent cleared” to play by Sept. 1. He also shared videos on social media this week showing him working out, saying it was his first day of dropping back to throw roughly five months after the injury occurred.

After spending six years in college, four at Virginia Tech and two at Tennessee, Hooker is already 25 years old — for comparison, just one year younger than former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker leaves game with injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee star quarterback Hendon Hooker injured his left knee during the fourth quarter of the No. 5 Volunteers’ game at South Carolina and was ruled out for the rest of the contest.

Hooker, who was hurt on a non-contact play, also lost a fumble on the play with 11:28 left in the game. Tennessee trainers examined the knee on the sideline and Hooker later slowly walked off the field to the locker room.

Joe Milton III replaced Hooker at quarterback.

Hooker, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, passed for 247 yards and three touchdowns before exiting.

Hooker has passed for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns against two interceptions this season. He also has rushed for 430 yards and five scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) warms up before the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker to return in 2022

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker announced Sunday he will return for the 2022 season.

“Looking forward to many more… Let’s run it back @Vol_Football,” he posted on Twitter.

Hooker has completed 69.0 percent of his passes for 2,567 yards with 26 touchdowns and three interceptions in 12 games in his first season in Knoxville in 2021. The 6-foot-4 senior has rushed for 561 yards and five touchdowns.

The Volunteers (7-5) finish the season against Purdue (8-4) in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville.

Hooker played three seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring, passing for 2,894 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions from 2018-20. He rushed for 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Hokies.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee lands grad transfer QB Hendon Hooker

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Less than a month after entering the NCAA transfer portal, former Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker is joining the Tennessee Volunteers as a graduate transfer.

Hooker, who graduated in December, will have two years of eligibility remaining. He’ll enroll this semester.

“Hendon is a very talented and dynamic quarterback with multiple years of Power Five experience,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “He will be a great addition to our quarterback room and make a positive impact with two years of eligibility remaining.”

Sidelined by medical issues the first two games of the season, the 6-foot-4 Hooker played in eight games, starting six. He threw for 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns, adding nine more scores while rushing for 620 yards. He also threw five interceptions.

The Volunteers were thin at the position after two of their quarterbacks — Jarrett Guarantano and J.T. Shrout — entered the transfer portal. Shrout has since transferred to Colorado, while Guarantano landed at Washington State.

Hooker will face competition from Harrison Bailey, who started the final three games for the Vols last season, and Brian Maurer, who started four games as a freshman in the 2019 season, along with incoming freshman Kaidon Salter, a four-star recruit from Texas.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech QB Hooker enters transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

“Thank you to all of the fans that have supported me throughout the years. Upon December graduation, I have decided to enter the transfer portal,” Hooker tweeted on Thursday. “This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Being a Hokie has been an unforgettable experience. To all of my brothers, I love you all like my blood. Captain Hook signing out.”

Hooker will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Sidelined by medical issues the first two games of the season, the 6-foot-4 Hooker played in eight games, starting six. He threw for 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns, adding nine more scores while rushing for 620 yards. He also threw five interceptions.

Virginia Tech (5-6) announced Wednesday that the Hokies will not accept any offers to play in a bowl game, ending the nation’s longest consecutive bowl streak at 27 years.

Hooker became the seventh member of the 2020 Hokies to enter the transfer portal, joining backup quarterback Quincy Patterson, offensive linemen Doug Nester, T.J. Jackson and Bryan Hudson and receivers Darryle Simmons and Elijah Bowick.

–Field Level Media