The Indianapolis Colts will likely be selecting a quarterback in the Draft, and Hendon Hooker is a possible name that’s flying under the radar.
For quarterback-needy teams at the top of the draft like the Indianapolis Colts, the conversations about prospects have been centered around Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Anthony Richardson out of Florida has also been getting some love. One of the names that’s flying under the radar is Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker. Also in this year’s draft, Hooker has been left out of a lot of the early-round conversations.
A big reason why is that Hooker tore his ACL during his senior season at Tennessee. Prior to the injury, Hooker was one of the best quarterbacks in college football and was potentially playing his way to the Heisman and a first-round selection. However, the injury brings a ton of questions for NFL teams, primarily, when will he be available to practice and play? That makes it likely that he won’t go in the first round.
While that may be the case, teams should absolutely still be doing their due diligence on him, and fans shouldn’t be surprised if he emerges as a top candidate for the Colts. As Hooker prepares for the NFL, he’s being assisted by someone with strong ties to Indianapolis.
Could Peyton Manning encourage Colts to draft Hendon Hooker
In a recent interview on radio row, Hooker detailed his relationship with fellow Tennessee Alum and former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Hooker said that he would talk to Manning pretty much after each game and that he’s currently been talking with both Peyton and Archie as he prepares for the NFL. Peyton has previously spoken highly of Hooker, so it’s fair to ask if he’ll communicate his affinity for Hooker to his former franchise.
The biggest test for Hooker will probably be medical exams at the combine. Teams will have the opportunity to learn about his health and recovery journey and probably get a better idea of when he’ll return to the field. Unable to do anything physical in the pre-draft process, Hooker will have to impress in all of his meetings with teams, something he’s been getting prepared to do. As far as actually playing, teams will just have to trust his college tape.
It’s not impossible for Hooker to jump the quarterbacks that are currently healthy and will be able to take part in the physical parts of the pre-draft process, he just has to be really impressive and convince teams that he’ll be the best quarterback of the group once he gets on the field. Time will tell if Hooker, and maybe Manning, can convince the Colts of that.
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