University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is down at the Senior Bowl this week, but unfortunately the talented young signal-caller is unable to take part after suffering a torn ACL this past season.
Prior to his injury, Hooker was having a phenomenal year, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to two picks, while also adding 430 yards on the ground.
“I can’t showcase what I can do on the field right now,” Hooker said on Tuesday, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “But as much as I can do, I’m going to do. I can always come out here and watch my guys compete, and root my teammates on, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
As far as his injury recovery is concerned, Hooker says it’s all about being patient and taking it day-by-day.
“I’m being patient the same way I was patient when I had to keep my leg up in the shower,” Hooker said. “I couldn’t put any weight on it in the shower. … I just have to take it day-by-day, step-by-step, and get better every day while making sure I am doing everything I can.”
Despite not being able to physically take part, Hooker is looking to show off his other qualities to teams.
“I just want to show the type of leader I am, the character I have,” Hooker said. “And, just my love for ball, my football IQ for sure. I want to show them what I know, and what I can learn as well.”
While every prospect at the Senior Bowl will meet with every team, Hooker revealed that his first interview was with the Titans.
“It’s been a gauntlet of teams for sure. You meet with everyone and I just have a blast talking ball,” Hooker told 104.5 The Zone. “The meeting with the Titans was really cool. Kind of a surreal moment for sure because that was the first team I talked to in the interview process. Just being able to sit down with the head man and talk ball was a blast.”
