Hendon Hooker Set To Make NFL Debut

Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker will make his NFL debut in a preseason game for the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) practices during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker will make his NFL debut in a preseason game for the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

The NFL preseason is in full swing this week as we begin the charge toward regular season games in early September. The Detroit Lions play their first preseason game this evening when they square off against the New York Giants. Starting quarterback Jared Goff won't play, according to head coach Dan Campbell, meaning former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker should get some extended run in his NFL debut.

The Lions selected Hooker with the No. 68 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft amid an offseason of uncertainty around Goff's future with the team. After being traded from the Los Angeles Rams before the 2021 season, Goff struggled mightily in his first year with the Lions. He performed well in his second season with Detroit, but the team fell short of a playoff berth, prompting them to draft Hooker. However, Goff continued improving in his third year with the squad, throwing for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns en route to an NFC Championship Game appearance.

Hooker spent his rookie season rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered against South Carolina during the tail end of his final season at the University of Tennessee. He helped breathe life back into the football town of Knoxville, Tennessee, posting a sparkling 6,080 passing yards to go along with 58 touchdowns against just five interceptions in his two seasons as a starter with the Vols.

While Goff is the unquestioned starter in the Motor City after signing a four-year, $212 million extension this offseason, Hooker still has plenty of opportunity in front of him in the league. Much of that will be based on his performances in settings like the preseason, where he gets to command the offense for several quarters as "the guy."

Other Tennessee News:

• Tony Vitello Turnaround Nothing Short of Brilliant for Tennessee Baseball
• Jaylen Williams Cuts Recruitment to Four Schools
• Tennessee Vols Football Could Make Playoff According to CFB Data Model

Join the Community:

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.