Report: ‘Plenty’ Of NFL Teams Have Hendon Hooker Ranked As The 3rd Quarterback In The 2023 NFL Draft

Hendon Hooker

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images


In what is becoming one of the most anticipated NFL Drafts in recent memory, a new report has surfaced regarding the quarterback prospects in the 2023 class.

According to NFL Network’s James Palmer, a “plenty” of NFL teams have ranked Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker as the third best quarterback prospect in the upcoming draft.

While Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud have been viewed as the top two quarterbacks in this year’s class, Palmer reports that there is a significant “gap” between those two and the rest of the group. This has left room for Hooker to be considered as the third best option ahead of Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Hooker’s rise up draft boards is particularly noteworthy given his age and recent injury history. At 25 years old, he is older than most prospects, and he tore his ACL in 2022. However, reports indicate that he is now healthy and has been making the rounds with several NFL teams ahead of the draft.

Despite his injury, Hooker put up impressive numbers in his last two seasons at Tennessee. He threw for 58 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions, racking up 6,080 passing yards in the process. His athleticism and ability to make plays both with his arm and his legs have caught the attention of several teams in need of a quarterback.

Hooker has already visited with the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Commanders. This week, he is expected to visit the Las Vegas Raiders, Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It is important to note that this ranking of Hooker as the third-best quarterback prospect is not unanimous across the league, and other teams may have different opinions on the matter. However, it is clear that Hooker has impressed enough to be in the conversation.

The competition between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud for the top two spots among quarterback prospects is expected to continue, but Hooker’s emergence as a potential third option adds an interesting wrinkle to the draft. The coming weeks will be crucial for Hooker as he continues to meet with teams and try to improve his draft stock.

While it remains to be seen where Hooker will ultimately land in the draft, his rise up draft boards is a testament to his talent and work ethic. As the 2023 NFL Draft approaches, it will be interesting to see how teams evaluate the quarterback prospects and where Hooker ultimately ends up.