That’s no good. The 2022 college football season took a hit this week when Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker went down with an ACL injury, sidelining one of the most exciting players in the country just as things were picking up with bowl season on the horizon. It’s a big loss for the sport just from an entertainment value perspective, and it’s disappointing to see it happen to a player who had really come into his own on a big stage.
And the ramifications are long-lasting. Hooker is a top prospect for the 2023 NFL draft even with this injury added to his scouting report. He’s also been frequently connected to the New Orleans Saints in mock drafts (most recently by our own Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire just last week). The Saints will be looking for a quarterback in 2023 with Jameis Winston underperforming and the 35-year old Andy Dalton playing out a one-year deal, so Hooker is likely on their radar.
