Hendon Hooker Quietly Cementing First-Round Status

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker is becoming a big riser in the NFL Draft process. Multiple scouts reportedly believe there is "no chance" he makes it past night one.

Quarterbacks go at a premium price, especially in the NFL. Finding a franchise signal-caller is the first step to success; therefore, teams are willing to spend a lot of capital to get their guy. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker wasn't previously viewed as a premium asset, but multiple reports now suggest otherwise.

Currently, four quarterbacks will likely be taken ahead of Hooker. That group consists of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis, all of whom have seen their name in top-5 conversations. Many pundits thought there was a gap between the fourth quarterback and Hooker, who has been the consensus No. 5 quarterback in the process.

Six weeks ago, it seemed increasingly unlikely a franchise would spend a first-round pick on Hooker. He's coming off an ACL tear, and there's legitimate noise about Tennessee's offensive concepts and their validity in the NFL. Hooker has spent the predraft process dispelling many of these narratives, and every time someone from a league office speaks publicly about him, they underscore that his stock is higher than many think.

One NFL evaluator spoke with The Score's Jordan Schultz and told him he doesn't see how Hooker "gets out of the first round." The evaluator went on to give Hooker some glowing compliments. "He'll come in and compete right away. He's refined. He's accurate. He's been in two programs built on winning. He could wind up starting as a rookie." 

Hendon Hooker has been steadily rising up team boards — thanks to his big arm, accuracy and intelligence.

My story, for @theScore: https://t.co/yF57CzZI8S pic.twitter.com/AKzC7JTsGA

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 1, 2023

As we sit about a month away from the draft, Hooker has met with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer also went on record saying the team brass met with Hooker at the NFL Combine and came away impressed.

This isn't the first positive news we've heard about Hooker after a large event. He dominated headlines at the Reese's Senior Bowl and interviewed well at the NFL Combine. He continues to be an impressive and diligent prospect focused on returning to the field. Hooker has gone on record confirming he will be ready for training camp and was expected to run by the end of March.

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