Hendon Hooker 'progressing really well' ahead of redshirt rookie season with Detroit Lions

Hendon Hooker goes into his rookie season with the Detroit Lions on a de facto redshirt after his ACL injury in 2022.

But the former Tennessee quarterback is on the up-and-up going into the fall. It might be awhile before he hits the game field, but he’s coming along.

Hooker told the Knoxville News Sentinel he’s “progressing really well.”

“I’m really just taking it day-by-day and continuing to build my body back up to where I want it to be and even better,” Hooker said.

Jared Goff is the entrenched starter with the Lions, but that didn’t stop Detroit from adding to the quarterback room. Hooker felt right at home.

“I love the Detroit staff,” Hooker said. “They’re very supportive. Always teaching and hungry to get better. There’s a competitive aspect from every coach that we have. It’s always a competition on the field. Offense, defense, it’s always going to be some chatter going back and forth, and I love that. I want to be a part of something that’s going to continue to progress to get better, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to win ball games.”

During his final season at Tennessee, prior to the injury, Hooker was well on his way to being a Heisman finalist. He had 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, two interceptions, a 69.6% completion percentage, 430 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

Over the course of two years with the Volunteers after a transfer from Virginia Tech, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 68.8% completion percentage and had 1,046 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

“If he didn’t have a great work ethic, he wouldn’t be here. He’s a smart player, puts the time in. … The most important thing is him getting strong and healthy,” quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell recently told The Detroit News. “But 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 clear that he’s putting the time in.”

As a member of the Class of 2017, Hooker was a four-star recruit out of Greensboro (N.C.) Dudley, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 8 overall prospect in the state, the No. 25 quarterback in the class and the No. 354 overall prospect in the class.