Hendon Hooker admits he'll use where he was drafted as motivation in the NFL
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker felt like he was the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he wasn't selected until the third round (by the Detroit Lions). One big reason why Hooker fell to the third round is because of the torn ACL he suffered in Tennessee's loss to the South Carolina […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker felt like he was the best player in the 2023 NFL Draft, but he wasn't selected until the third round (by the Detroit Lions).
One big reason why Hooker fell to the third round is because of the torn ACL he suffered in Tennessee's loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November.
Hooker also fell in the draft because there are questions about whether or not his game will translate to the NFL.
Those questions don't bother the former Vol — Hooker is confident in his abilities — but he admitted this week during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will that he'll be using where he was drafted as motivation.
"I'm very motivated," said Hooker when asked about wanting to play better than the quarterbacks selected ahead of him in the draft. "Especially not being able to perform in the combine and show my athleticism to the max and break some of those quarterback records (at the combine). Anthony Richardson (former Florida QB who was drafted with the No. 4 overall pick) is super athletic — I'm pretty athletic, too."
"I'm excited to get out there and really show people why I was the SEC player of the year," added Hooker. "And why I was the best player in college football last year."
Hooker certainly isn't lacking when it comes to confidence, but he's earned that right. Hooker is an instant Tennessee legend who will always be loved for the way he helped bring the program back to life.
And he'll be looking to do the same in the NFL (become a legend) after being massively overlooked during the pre-draft process.
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Featured image via Brianna Paciorka / USA TODAY NETWORK
