The NFL draft is getting closer, and one quarterback prospect is being compared to a former New England Patriots draft pick.
Hendon Hooker was part of a Tennessee program that was one of the best in the country last season. All told, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions.
That put a nice statistical bow on a Tennessee career that saw him throw for 8,974 yards, 80 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in total.
Hooker was bogged down by the injury bug towards the end of last season. He suffered a non-contact ACL injury against South Carolina in November but still managed to put up productive numbers overall. He finished with 247 yards and three touchdowns at the time of the injury.
Hooker is drawing comparisons to former Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who was drafted by New England in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. Analytics expert Cynthia Frelund broke down Hooker’s abilities in an analytical piece written on Tuesday.
Hooker combines Brissett’s ability to execute and read progressions with Jones’ throwing velocity. His season was ended prematurely by a torn ACL in November, but he still registered the second-highest passer rating (123.9), the second-best rate of turnover-worthy plays (1.0%) and the most passing yards per attempt (9.5) in the FBS last season, per PFF.
The question now becomes how well Hooker will heal from his ACL injury.
These days, ACL injuries aren’t nearly as lengthy in terms of recovery time, and there should at least be hope he’d be ready to see the field at some point this year.
