A transfer from Virginia Tech, the growth from Hendon Hooker’s time at Virginia Tech to 2021 has been incredible. Much of his growth as a prospect stemmed from his work in Josh Heupel’s offense. The offense forced Hooker out of his comfort zone and to grow – which he stepped up to the challenge to do. He’s very intelligent, and is an author of a children’s faith-based scripture book; “The ABC’s of Scripture for Athletes.”

Hendon Hooker has a couple of areas to his game where he can get better and help clean up. He’s got quick feet, but his footwork is still somewhat raw. If he can be more consistent with his footwork, it’s going to help him move the pocket better and hopefully clean up some of the high ball placement. 

Hendon Hooker with the CANNON 💪

(@henhook2) pic.twitter.com/cS16cUXGYe

— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) February 10, 2023

Tore his ACL in the second to last game of the 2022 regular season. Has stayed healthy outside of that injury. 

Hendon Hooker’s scouting report

Quarterbacking Ability (65) 

Arm Talent: 20

• Arm Strength (8/10): Good arm strength for the NFL level. Excellent velocity. Can push the ball to the perimeters effectively. 
• Touch Ability (4/5): Throws well with touch. Very nice football. Beautiful deep arch ball. 
• Release (4/5): Release is good and fast. 

Accuracy/Placement: 25

• Accuracy (11/15): Accuracy is very spotty. Box accuracy. Really worked on getting his accuracy to be more consistent this offseason in preparation for 2021. Showed some improvement. Still tends to throw a bit too high. Struggles tremendously on the deep ball and being consistent with it. Still struggling with overthrowing receivers. 
• Placement/Vision (7.5/10): Struggles to consistently place the throw. Flashes some incredible placement. Still working through some of his lower body mechanics. Struggles with consistency on the deep ball placement. 

Pocket Presence: 10

• Pocket Positioning (3/5): Positioning is suspect, but Hooker does a better job adjusting an maneuvering to the defense. 
• Pocket Maneuverability (3/5): Ball security is an issue. I don’t think he moves well in the pocket, but flashes some ability. 

Footwork: 10

• Consistency (2.5/5): Raw feet that aren’t consistent. Will get flat-footed in the pocket. Stands still. Struggles to plant when rushing through his mechanics, they aren’t natural yet. Will just freeze at times. Has shown a more active base in 2022.
• Quickness (4/5): Very quick feet. Excellent movement in the pocket. 

Athleticism and Mobility (20)

Mobility: 12

• Outside of the pocket (6/7): Excellent maneuverability outside of the pocket. Throws well outside of the pocket, both in bootleg motion and when he is forced outside. Defense has to account for his ability to run or throw. 
• Downfield Ability (5/5): Incredible athlete with some real downfield ability. Explosive and twitchy. Has a variety of moves to make defenders miss. Has some speed too. Shows great field vision as a runner. Strong contact balance. 

Improvability: 8

• Natural Improvability (3/4): Flashes incredible improv ability. Mostly makes things happen with his legs. See’s the field well for the most part. 
• Play Extension (2/4): Doesn’t look like a guy who can so much extend plays as he can create opportunities. Mostly works the scramble drill to create, not to keep the play call alive. 

Intelligence

Football IQ/Field Vision: 10

• Football Intelligence (3.5/5): Really works through progressions well. Smart, heady player. Is really starting to learn how to use his eyes well to manipulate defenders. 
• Ability to read pre-snap (3/5): Seems to see plays decently well pre-snap. Reads defenders well. Seems to understand how they set and how to manipulate them fairly well. 

Overall: