Former Tennessee football star quarterback Hendon Hooker is back in the NFL. After being released from the Carolina Panthers in November, the New York Jets have signed him to the team’s practice squad. While he won’t be active for games unless he is elevated, he’ll join a QB room featuring Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook.
Hooker was drafted 68th overall by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This came after he tore his ACL late in his final collegiate season, forcing him to sit out his first year in the NFL.
In his second season, Hooker appeared in three games off the bench and threw for six completions on nine attempts for 62 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception. He was waived by the Lions in late August of 2025, but was promptly picked up by the Panthers. In Carolina, he was never elevated from the practice squad.
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Hooker was a star in Knoxville during his pair of seasons with Tennessee. He initially transferred into Jeremy Pruitt’s program, but stuck around after the coaching change. He lost the initial quarterback battle with Joe Milton III under Josh Heupel, but entered in relief of Milton due to injury against Pitt and never relinquished the job.
Hooker finished 2021 with 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions. The team finished 7-6 after a controversial loss in the Music City Bowl to Purdue.
In 2022, Hooker started the first 11 games of the season before tearing his ACL in the late stages of the loss at South Carolina. Before that, he helped UT climb to the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings due to a historic upset of Alabama. He finished the year with 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two picks. The team would finish 11-2 with an Orange Bowl win led by Milton.
Prior to Tennessee, Hooker played at Virginia Tech from 2017-20. He is from Greensboro, North Carolina, where he played football and basketball for Dudley.
