Hendon Hooker is not able to participate in the Senior Bowl this year. The Tennessee quarterback tore his ACL late in the Volunteers’ season.
But Hooker is here in Mobile, going through the interview process with all 32 teams and staying active in team meetings and on the sideline in practices. The talented prospect had an extra meeting with the Detroit Lions immediately after the American team practice on Tuesday.
Right after the late-afternoon practice ended, Hooker made a beeline directly to Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew on the field. The two shared a warm embrace, clearly having spent some time together before. They conversed for several minutes, with a couple of Lion staffers — including longtime long snapper Don Muhlbach — also joining in the conversation with Hooker.
As noted in the picture from Andy Morse of the Detroit Lions Podcast, Hooker’s leg remains heavily wrapped as he rehabilitates to get ready for the 2023 season.
Hooker was generally projected as a Day 2 prospect prior to the injury. He was a Heisman Trophy contender after elevating his game in his final year in Knoxville.
