Hendon Hooker focusing on 'mental reps' with Detroit Lions as ACL rehab continues
Hendon Hooker isn’t changing his approach as he enters the NFL. His mindset is the same one he had at Tennessee and long before his time with the Vols. He just wants to keep moving in the right direction.
“Entering this first year is the same motto and same mentality I’ve had all my life and that’s get better every day,” Hooker told DetroitLions.com. “You never stay the same. You either get better or worse and I don’t want to have any decline in my game.
“I’m continuing to work my tail off day to day with mental reps, taking reps behind the quarterback that is in, and just playing the game in my mind until I can actually get out there. I’m still preparing. I’m hungry. I’m ready to compete.”
Hooker, drafted at No. 68 overall in the third round by the Lions last month, was limited to mental reps in rookie minicamp and the same will continue through the summer as he continues to rehab the season-ending torn ACL he suffered in Tennessee’s game at South Carolina on November 19.
In two spectacular seasons at Tennessee, Hooker passed for 6,080 yards and threw 58 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. Last season Hooker threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 69.6 percent of his passes, in 11 games before the injury.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell: ‘Really, this is a redshirt year’ for Hendon Hooker
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this moth that the plan will be for Hooker to “redshirt” as a rookie with veteran Jared Goff as Detroit’s starting quarterback, giving Hooker all the time needed to come back from the ACL injury.
“Really, this is a redshirt year for him,” Campbell said according to the Detroit Free Press. “He’s got to get this leg right first and then he’ll learn under Jared, and then let’s see what happens. If he can eventually become your (No. 2 quarterback) or maybe down the road, later on, it’s more than that, but it’s going to be a long time.”
There was no concern for Campbell or the Lions regarding Hooker’s injury or his age. He turns 24 in January.
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“We knew (Hooker) was coming off the injury,” Campbell said, “but there was something about him that was appealing. He’s very mature. He looks the part, he’s got a big arm. He’s just, he’s got to learn how to play in the NFL.
“But he’s a pro now, and I like the fact that he was older. We all kind of like the fact that he was older. I think you want your quarterback to be a little bit more mature. They got a lot on their plate.”
Hendon Hooker at Tennessee: 6,080 passing yards, 58 TDs, 5 INTs
Hooker is ready for whatever is put on his plate.
“I’m a competitor,” Hooker told the team site. “I love the game of football. I love going out there and taking control of the offense and having fun. That’s what it’s about. The game is fun. Whenever I can get out there and do my thing that’s what I’ll do.”
Hooker also noted that being picked as the fifth of the five top quarterbacks in the draft isn’t something he’ll forget moving forward.
“Just adding that as fuel to the fire and having that chip on my shoulder and wanting to work,” he said. “Every day I come in here I have motivation regardless of what’s going on.”
