Archived Thread

One Sleeper QB in the Upcoming Draft - Hendon Hooker of Tenn

Anakim : 11/23/2021 8:36 am

Hendon Hooker (hell of a name, right?) from Tennessee. Transfer from Greg in LI's favorite school, Virginia Tech.

He was subpar at Va Tech, but he's been absolutely dynamite for the Vols. He beat out former Michigan QB Joe Milton III for the starting job and hasn't looked back. He's 6'4 with a good arm and crazy athleticism (see the clip). 24 TDs, 3 INTs, 68% completion percentage in the hardest conference in college football. In five games against ranked opponents, he has 11 TDs with only two INTs.

Someone to keep an eye on.

There are a few decent QB options in the 2022 Draft, but no one I would take in the first round. I think Matt Corral is the best QB prospect right now, but I'm not in love with him. Malik Willis is all tools, but he's a major project. I think Kenny Pickett and Sam Howell have limited upside.

But guys like Desmond Ridder, Carson Strong, Phil Jurkovic and the aforementioned Hooker would be decent Late Day-2/Day-3 options. I still would go into next season with DJ as the starting QB (don't pick up his option), but spending a draft choice on a QB project wouldn't be the worst thing...as long as it's not a first round pick.
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I'm sorry

madeinstars : 11/23/2021 8:38 am : link

But a guy like that is way too exciting for this stale ass old-school bullshit no fun sorry mistake for a franchise.

problem with that ...

KDavies : 11/23/2021 8:40 am : link

what are the cap implications of paying a QB by the hour?

That makes more sense

jeff57 : 11/23/2021 8:44 am : link

Than reaching for a QB in the top 10. I don't know whether Hooker is the guy though.

I posted this in CFB thread over weekend with no response

Dennis From Madison : 11/23/2021 8:45 am : link

I don't watch much college football at all, but I caught a little bit of Purdue with Aidan O'Connell a few times. He seems to be coming from out of nowhere the last month as a senior. He looks poised, accurate with pocket presence. I don't ever see his name mentioned.

we went 3 years in a row, I believe,

Bill in UT : 11/23/2021 8:48 am : link

drafting mid-round QBs, without even coming up with a decent backup. This organization simply cannot evaluate talent.

RE: problem with that ...

Mark from Jersey : 11/23/2021 8:55 am : link

In comment 15463518 KDavies said:

Quote:

what are the cap implications of paying a QB by the hour?

I appreciate your insight Anakim,

Dinger : 11/23/2021 9:12 am : link

I just want to see who is around to coach him before we make that move. I don't trust Judge Garrett or anyone on the current staff to start anew. IF they decide to torch the place and start completely fresh then maybe take a qb. But OL and Edge are huge needs. or at least the ablitity to coach/teach/improve those areas need to be vastly improved before you waste more time looking for the next Mahomes, Rodgers or Brady. When QBs have all day to look down field drives last forever and your Offense cant get on the field. Then when they do the Qb is scrambling for his life or the RB cant be relied upon to get 1 YARD when they need to.

UT fan here

Koffman : 11/23/2021 9:29 am : link

Hooker is an athletic QB who can make some plays. But, he is just a Junior and may not even come out. From watching every UT game this year I can tell you he is a play maker, but I have to wonder how much of that is due to the offense Josh Huepel is running. Milton also looked good in this offense which requires an athletic QB, but he couldn't hit a barn with a shovel, so Hooker was installed after an injury. Hooker may have a reasonable NFL career, but I feel it would have to be with the right kind of offense.

I like the idea

Giantophile : 11/23/2021 9:34 am : link

but the arm talent just isn't there for the NFL. He can be a gadget change of pace guy like Taysom was under Brees, but he's not an answer at QB.

The kid from Louisville, have you seen him play?

Jim in Forest Hills : 11/23/2021 9:47 am : link

He is really tools rich.

Anyone know anything about it it Tanner Mordecai

CV36 : 11/23/2021 9:58 am : link

There is a lot of buzz I. Texas about this kid. I don’t watch many college games and definitely not smaller schools.

RE: That makes more sense

Adirondack GMen : 11/23/2021 5:05 pm : link

In comment 15463526 jeff57 said:

Quote:

Than reaching for a QB in the top 10. I don't know whether Hooker is the guy though.

I wouldn’t put a Hooker near Kitchens!

If available in round two

5BowlsSoon : 11/23/2021 5:26 pm : link

But I hope our first two picks in round one are Hog Mollies on the OL.

No sleepers please...

EricJ : 11/23/2021 5:27 pm : link

I've mentioned Hooker...

bw in dc : 11/23/2021 5:44 pm : link

a few times this season. He's got good size, he's athletic, has a nice arm and he's had a very productive season - 70%, 24/3, 9.9 YPA, 490 rushing yard and another 5 rushing TDs.

So he could be a very interesting project. Has played pretty damn well against good teams. Look at his numbers versus Bama, Kentucky and even Georgia.