Via AP Photo/Wade Payne
Hendon Hooker has made quite the name for himself in 2022. The Virginia Tech transfer took over as the Volunteers starting quarterback in the second game of 2021, and never looked back.
Through six games, Hooker has completed 70% of his passes for 1,817 yards. But perhaps his most impressive stat: 15 touchdowns, one interception. He has been on an absolute tear to start 2022 and most recently helped the Volunteers take down the number three ranked Alabama.
But how does Hooker and his game match up against the consensus top three quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft?
Hooker’s Intangibles Compare Admirably
When you turn on the tape, Hooker’s decisiveness immediately pops off the screen. He is able to decipher defenses quickly and makes accurate and precise throws to his reads. He excels at looking off the safety to open up lanes for his receivers down the field.
Like Bryce Young, he is more of a pocket passer, but has the speed and athleticism to take off for extra yards when needed against lighter boxes. Tennessee has called his number several times this season, as he has rushed for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
Arm strength is key in today’s NFL, and Hooker has more than enough. Kentucky’s Will Levis still holds the top spot in terms of arm talent, but Hooker rivals Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud in terms of velocity. The Volunteer quarterback can put the ball into any window he likes and can launch it down the field. He arguably throws one of the prettiest deep balls of the class, a staple of today’s NFL.
The main con on Hooker’s scouting report is his age. A 25-year-old rookie is certainly far from the norm. While he isn’t Brandon Weeden, teams will certainly take his age into account. Older prospects have to be more refined, more NFL-ready, and teams tend to shy away from them because of how close they are to their ceiling.
Most NFL front offices prefer a younger quarterback they can develop, and can build around for a longer period of time. Hooker needs a stellar performance over the final stretch of 2022 to truly put the age conundrum to rest.
One-Year Wonders
Hooker’s name was rarely mentioned as one of the top signal callers before the 2022 season. While Hooker has been a solid quarterback during his time at Tennessee, not many expected him to blossom as much as he has this season.
Many times, quarterbacks skyrocket up the board after a sensational final year in college. Joe Burrow and Zach Wilson are the two most recent examples of one-year wonder turned first-round draft pick.
In his junior year, Burrow had 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Zach Wilson had 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Hooker, on the other hand, threw for 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. But yet, Hooker still isn’t discussed nearly as much as either of the aforementioned first-round picks.
While Burrow and Wilson exploded onto the scene in their final collegiate season, Hooker is on pace for much of the same as 2021, another 30+ touchdown season with minimal turnovers. Hooker wasn’t mentioned as a top prospect in 2022, likely due to his age and offensive scheme, but he shouldn’t be viewed as a one-year wonder and people should truly start putting more respect on his name as a early-round draft prospect.
