Tennessee Vols: Why Hendon Hooker's NFL draft decision should be a no-brainer
Will quarterback Hendon Hooker return to the Tennessee Vols for his final season of eligibility in 2022? That's the biggest question surrounding Tennessee football as we enter the winter months. Hooker proved to be the Vols' most valuable player in 2021. Tennessee's offense sputtered with Joe Milton under center to start the season. But when […]
Will quarterback Hendon Hooker return to the Tennessee Vols for his final season of eligibility in 2022?
That's the biggest question surrounding Tennessee football as we enter the winter months.
Hooker proved to be the Vols' most valuable player in 2021. Tennessee's offense sputtered with Joe Milton under center to start the season. But when Hooker took over, the offense hit its stride. Hooker was accurate, decisive, and smart.
The North Carolina native finished the regular season with 2,567 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.
Hooker's 26 passing touchdowns are the seventh most in a season by a Volunteer quarterback.
Thanks to his stellar play in 2021, Hooker's name has been included by NFL draft analysts on their draft boards.
But that doesn't mean Hooker should declare for the 2022 NFL Draft.
In fact, I think he should stay at Tennessee. And I think it should be an easy decision.
Here's why.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler revealed his top 15 quarterbacks for the 2022 NFL Draft this week.
Brugler has Hooker as his No. 12 quarterback in the draft.
There were only 10 quarterbacks selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The 2020 NFL Draft had 13 quarterbacks selected. Former James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci was the 12th quarterback selected in 2020. DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round. He's currently on the Cowboys' practice squad.
If Hooker stays another year at Tennessee, he could end up being one of the top-five quarterbacks selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
But if he declares for the 2022 NFL Draft, he'll likely be a seventh-round pick….or go undrafted.
It's not easy for a seventh-round selection or an undrafted player to stay on an active roster.
For every Tom Brady, there are 100 Sean Renfrees. The odds aren't in a quarterback's favor if they're drafted late.
Hooker would be wise to return to Tennessee, improve his draft stock, and give himself a chance to be drafted in the early rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. He should essentially bet on himself.
If Hooker was that good after just one year with Josh Heupel, imagine how much he'll improve in year two.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
