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Hendon Hooker receives positive injury update at NFL Combine
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Hendon Hooker reportedly received a positive injury update in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine, just 3 months after tearing his ACL against South Carolina last season.
The former Tennessee quarterback is said to be on track to potentially start Week 1 in the NFL, a huge update for his draft stock. Hooker was one of the top players in the country last season and likely would have been a Heisman finalist should he have stayed healthy.
#Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker, who tore his ACL in November, received positive medical reports here in Indy, sources say. He’s three months after the operation and on track to be ready for the season opener.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2023
Hooker led Tennessee to its best season in a few decades this past season, seeing the Vols lose just twice to Georgia and South Carolina. Backup Joe Milton III led the Vols to a Orange Bowl win over Clemson following Hooker’s injury.
What is Hooker’s outlook?
Like most other quarterbacks in this draft, it’s hard to tell. Hooker could be a late 1st round pick depending on fit, but is much more likely to go 2nd round. The injury could cause some NFL teams to shy away, but so can his age. Hooker is 25 years old, after all.
One thing is certain: Hooker is among the most accurate passers in the draft with an elite pocket presence and scrambling ability. He’s big too, standing at 6-foot-3, 217 pounds.
Hooker could be a steal for an NFL team looking for their next NFL QB.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
