Hendon Hooker opens up on how tough it was to suffer devastating injury amid Tennessee's special season

Heading into a key matchup against South Carolina in November, Tennessee had a 9-1 record thanks in large part to an impressive season from Hendon Hooker. The dual-threat quarterback was putting up big numbers to lead the Vols’ high-powered offense as they tried to make a case for the College Football Playoff.

During that game, though, Hooker suffered a torn ACL — ending his season. The timing wasn’t ideal as Tennessee had momentum despite a loss to Georgia two weeks prior and Hooker’s draft stock was on the rise. In 11 games, he threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to go with 430 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

As he went back through the tape after the injury, he had a hard time. That’s when he turned to his support system.

“It was tough,” Hooker said on The Paul Finebaum Show Thursday. “I found myself in the early stages kind of tearing up when I watched film and watched games, just missing my teammates, the camaraderie and how hard we compete for each other on a daily basis in practice and in meetings and during game day. Through the whole process, just staying positive and connecting with my teammates whenever I can. And having a great support system in my family. Can’t thank them enough.”

Hooker has talked about the importance of his family before, notably his dad and his brother. Even as the draft approaches and his stock rises amid his recovery, he said he still turns to them for some jokes and smiles, which is why they’ve been such a big help through the pre-draft process.

“I had to lean on them heavily, heavily,” Hooker said. “I still lean on them daily, just for some laughs and chuckles. Nothing but great vibes coming from them and nothing but encouragement. There was never a time where I doubted my support system, if they were going to be there for me or not, and they’ve put their best foot forward in helping me and everything that I’m doing and supporting me through my path to the draft.”

Hooker has been mocked in the first round of a couple mock drafts as of late. ESPN’s Todd McShay projected him to go No. 23 overall to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week, and Mike Tannenbaum — a former NFL GM and current ESPN analyst — went so far as to predict Hooker to go No. 5 overall to the Seattle Seahawks in his mock draft.

The injury recovery remains a storyline, though, and Hooker said he’s coming along well both physically and mentally.

“Still on the recovery stages of my injury, working day to day in the training room and the weight room,” Hooker said. “Still on the field, still developing my mental [game], as well. Whenever I can watch film and whenever I can get on the board, which is basically every day, and I’m having a great time doing it. So just enjoying the process, still ahead of schedule and still going to work day to day to get better.”