Peyton Manning gives his thoughts on Vols QB Hendon Hooker ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
Tennessee Vols legend Peyton Manning spoke to TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt at the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas this past week and he had some great things to say about UT quarterback Hendon Hooker. Manning told Wyatt that whichever team selects Hooker in the 2023 NFL Draft will be "lucky". "I think Hendon will do well […]
Tennessee Vols legend Peyton Manning spoke to TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt at the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas this past week and he had some great things to say about UT quarterback Hendon Hooker.
Manning told Wyatt that whichever team selects Hooker in the 2023 NFL Draft will be "lucky".
"I think Hendon will do well at the next level," said Manning to Wyatt. "Obviously his injury was disappointing for the finish to the season for him. But he had an incredible year. I talked to him – I saw him at bowl practice down in Miami."
"I went down there for the Orange Bowl," added Manning. "He said he thought he'd be throwing by April. These ACLs injuries, they can fix them sooner than they used to. So, I don't think that's going to be a factor for him. Whatever team gets him on their roster is going to be lucky."
Despite suffering a torn ACL in November, Hooker's draft stock has improved over the last week.
That's because of Hooker's impressive presence at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL last week.
Hooker, unlike some of his SEC counterparts (Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett), didn't decline his Senior Bowl invite. Instead, he went to Mobile to participate in interviews with NFL front offices and media. And he was extremely impressive in those interviews.
Peyton's a believer in Hooker. And so are former NFL scouts like Bucky Brooks. I wouldn't be surprised if NFL teams feel that way, too. Hooker has ideal size, he can use his legs, he's a quick decision maker and he has a great arm.
And he has elite character and leadership skills.
What more could an NFL franchise want in a quarterback?
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
