Former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is in Mobile, Alabama, for the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week. While Hooker cannot play in the game due to injury, he has the opportunity to meet with every NFL team and improve his draft stock with off-the-field preparation.
As Hooker continues to meet with all the NFL teams in Mobile, he is also doing various interviews with media who are at the Senior Bowl. On Wednesday, the Ramon, Kayla & Will Show on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville interviewed Hooker on his experience so far. During the interview, Will Boling asked Hooker his thoughts on the Titans new General Manager Ran Carthon.
In Hooker’s response, he noted that the Titans were actually the first team to meet with him this week.
“You meet with everyone, I just have a blast talking ball,” Hooker said. “Meeting with the Titans was really cool, kind of a surreal moment, for sure, because that was the first team that I talked to in the interview process. Being able to sit down with the head man and talk ball, it’s been a blast. It’s been a gauntlet of teams, for sure.”
The Titans were the first team to meet with @henhook2.
Great to catch up with the Vols' QB1 this morning. @RamonKaylaWill
Full interview: https://t.co/Xfum5xQUgc pic.twitter.com/gnPBdoNvGg
— Will Boling (@will_boling) February 1, 2023
Hooker’s full interview with Ramon, Kayla & Will can be found here.
More From RTI: WATCH: Hendon Hooker Talks Injury and Recovery
Hooker has been meeting with plenty of media over the past few days, including one of NFL Network’s insiders in Tom Pelissero. Pelissero met with Hooker Monday, and the VFL mentioned he hopes to be fully healthy by training camp.
“I think that I’ll come back better than ever,” Hooker said in the interview. “Like I said before, being able to actually sit down and concentrate on different aspects of my game and make sure my body is getting back to where it is supposed to be and beyond that as well. I’m excited to get back in the groove of things and sling it around.”
The injury is the biggest concern for teams looking to draft Hooker right now. But, if Hooker progresses enough to where it looks he will be healthy for training camp, his draft stock will greatly improve.
Hooker is one of three Vols at the Senior Bowl, as defensive end Byron Young and offensive tackle Darnell Wright are also down in Mobile showcasing their talents for NFL scouts.
Good rep for Byron Young on Bama’s Tyler Steen. #Vols pic.twitter.com/6dLdfg2u8I
— Will Boling (@will_boling) February 1, 2023
Two @Vol_Football VFLs matchup on this rep at Day 1 of Senior Bowl practice today.
Nothing new to them, but cool in that stage. DE Byron Young vs. RT Darnell Wright.
Btw, VFL Charles Davis is again an analyst on the TV coverage. pic.twitter.com/myqYUlPH8a
— Vince Ferrara (@VinceSports) February 1, 2023
Nice battle between Edge Rusher Byron Young and OT Matthew Bergeron @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/HQTL3UchLE
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) February 1, 2023
The 2023 NFL Draft will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, and run from Thursday April 27 until Saturday, April 29.
