All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s top 10 NFL Draft prospects for 2023

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Senior. 3. 839. Quarterback. Hendon Hooker. player

6’4″ 218 pounds

Was there any question that Hendon Hooker would be on this list? We’re talking about a dark-horse Heisman candidate for Tennessee football at quarterback this year. The graduate of Dudley High School in Greensboro, N.C., who transferred to UT from the Virginia Tech Hokies last year emerged into a star despite not starting the season.

Hooker completed 206 of 303 passes (68 percent) for 2,945 yards (9.7 yards per attempt), 31 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 616 yards and five touchdowns on 166 carries (3.7 yards per attempt). He was incredible all year and had a case fore being the best quarterback in the league.

Coming out of North Carolina’s Guilford County and then playing in Virginia, Hooker’s experience was all with ACC country. Playing in Josh Heupel’s system made him ready for SEC play, and he’s deadly accurate to match his mobility. So what keeps him down here at No. 3?

Well, as is allowed in Heupel’s system, Hooker is very much a first-read guy. He’s not being developed in a pro-style way, which could hurt his stock at the next level. It’s what just hurt Malik Willis, as playing for Hugh Freeze killed trust in him. He’ll still have a shot and be a top prospect, but he’ll have to prove it in the pros, and he’ll need the right system.

Home/Vols Football