Lions 'Can't Wait' to Get Hendon Hooker on Football Field

Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell gives his first impressions of Hendon Hooker.

Rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker was among the first Detroit Lions players out on the field on the final day of organized team activities. 

Nearly seven months removed from an ACL tear in a 63-38 defeat against South Carolina, Detroit's first of two 2023 third-round picks has put in the work in meeting rooms, and is learning daily from mental reps at the team's Allen Park practice facility. 

Detroit quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell provided his early assessment of the young signal-caller prior to the final OTA practice that was open to the media. 

"Great work ethic. If he didn't, he wouldn't be here," said Brunell. "He's a smart player. He's put the time in. Obviously, he's limited right now. Most important is him getting strong and healthy. I'm really pleased with him, as far as the meetings are concerned. We throw a bunch of questions at those rookies and try to put them in a tough spot. And, he always does a very good job. And, it's very, very clear that he's putting the time in. Which is really, it's the mental side of it is really all he can do right now, as far as football is concerned. But, he's done well." 

A player that is coming off a serious left knee injury, who has yet to play football at the NFL level, is challenging to assess. 

For Brunell, early signs are pointing to the ex-Volunteers quarterback being quite successful, when he is fully cleared to practice and play. 

"It's really hard. There's some guys that do very well in the classroom, but yet it doesn't translate on the field. We don't expect him to be that at all, because we've seen him play in college at a very high level," Brunell explained. "We can't wait to get him on the field. Right now, he's doing everything that we're asking him to do, and he's doing it quite well."