The 2023 NFL draft is two weeks away, and we here at Commanders Wire will look to profile multiple 2023 prospects daily leading up to day one of the draft.
We will focus on prospects who could be available for Washington and who fit a position of need. Our prospect profiles will not be exclusive to projected first-round picks only but also players who will be selected on the second and third days of the NFL draft.
The Commanders are first on the clock at No. 16 overall.
Today, we profile Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The numbers
Size: 6-foot-3, 217 pounds
40-yard dash: N/A, unable to participate at NFL combine after tearing ACL late in 2022
Arms: 33″
Hands: 10 1/2″
Vertical jump: N/A
Broad jump: N/A
10-yard split: N/A
Scouting report
Hendon Hooker spent four seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee for his final two seasons. Hooker was outstanding at times for the Hokies, but he played in an unimaginative offense and didn’t have the best coaching. Hooker had impressive streaks at Virginia Tech and Tennessee without an interception.
His age [25] and injury will concern some teams. However, Hooker is a model citizen, a football junkie and a player who continues to improve. Don’t be surprised if he lands in round one.
Here’s what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said about Hooker:
Hooker’s age and ACL tear will be starting points for many draft conversations, but the most important question to be answered is whether he can thrive outside of the Tennessee offense. Hooker was frequently a half-field reader, which means he could lean on spacing, speed and/or route combinations to make life easier. He’s more accurate outside the numbers than between the hashes and his deep ball placement was much more uneven than expected. However, Hooker plays with excellent poise and footwork as a pocket passer. He will make quarterback coaches and play-callers happy with his adherence to keeping plays on schedule. He’s still showing signs of improvement and growth at the position, and his ability to hurt teams with his legs creates opportunities to help his offense outside of what he does in the pocket. His recovery from the ACL tear will require monitoring, but he has the talent to become a starter in a timing-based, spread offense.
College stats
2017 [Virginia Tech]: Redshirted
2018 [Virginia Tech]: Appeared in three games, did not attempt a pass. Ran the ball four times for 57 yards and a touchdown.
2019 [Virginia Tech]: Appeared in 11 games, starting eight. Hooker completed 99 of 162 attempts [61.1%] for 1,555 yards with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. Hooker rushed for 356 yards and five touchdowns.
2020 [Virginia Tech]: Hooker appeared in eight games, making seven starts. He completed 98 of 150 attempts [65.3%] for 1,339 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He rushed for 620 yards and nine touchdowns.
2021 [Tennessee]: Hooker appeared in 13 games, with 11 starts. He completed 206 of 303 attempts [68%] for 2,945 yards, with 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Hooker rushed for 616 yards and five touchdowns.
2022 [Tennessee]: Hooker started 11 games before his injury, completing 229 of 329 passes [69.6 percent] for 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. He rushed for 430 yards and five touchdowns. Hooker was the SEC offensive player of the year, a Heisman Trophy finalist, All-SEC first team and an All-American.
Highlights
Fit with Commanders
If Washington selects Hooker, the 2023 season is likely a redshirt year. Not only because of his injury, but the Commanders do want to see if Sam Howell is the guy. If he isn’t, the two young passers can compete in 2024. It would be a good situation to have. Having a pair of talented, young passers under contract for cheap for multiple seasons allows the coaching staff two chances at finding your franchise quarterback.
Hooker will not land with Washington in the first round. However, if he’s still sitting on the board in round two, things could get interesting.
