Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker makes bold statement ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
Immediately after the conclusion of the 2022 season, the feeling for many draft analysts was that Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker would be a third-round or fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. That was mostly due to Hooker's age (he turned 25 in January), the torn ACL he suffered in November against South Carolina, […]
Immediately after the conclusion of the 2022 season, the feeling for many draft analysts was that Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker would be a third-round or fourth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
That was mostly due to Hooker's age (he turned 25 in January), the torn ACL he suffered in November against South Carolina, and the offense he played in at Tennessee (a non-traditional offense that utilizes wide splits and tempo).
Those feelings, however, have changed over the last couple of months thanks in part to Hooker's impressive showing during interviews and visits with teams ahead of the draft.
There's a chance that Hooker could hear his name called on Thursday night during the first round of the draft. Some recent mock drafts, for example, have Hooker going No. 11 overall to the Tennessee Titans. That's probably a bit high for Hooker, but it shows that he's in the first-round conversation.
And that's right where Hooker thinks he should be. Hooker, who will watch the draft from his hometown of Greensboro, NC, told USA Today recently that he feels like he's the top quarterback in the draft.
“Of course, I would have myself at No. 1. I won’t give you a ranking, but I will say I give myself No. 1,” said Hooker to USA Today. “My football IQ. How I’m able to process things at a high speed. My competitive nature and how accurate I am with the ball. I can make every level throw and also deadly in the run game as well.”
While we don't know yet where Hooker will be drafted, we do know that he'll get a chance to prove that his comments are accurate. And based on all the adversity that Hooker has faced throughout his career, I wouldn't bet against him being the best quarterback in this class when it's all said and done.
