Tennessee has added much-needed help to the quarterback room.
Virginia Tech transfer quarterback Hendon Hooker has committed to play for the Vols, he announced on social media Thursday afternoon. Hooker entered the transfer portal on Dec. 17, 2020.
“Dream chasing is an occupation,” Hooker wrote on Twitter while posting a graphic of him playing football in a Tennessee jersey. “Those with the job understand the process of manifestation. Committed.”
Hooker was a four-star recruit when he signed with Virginia Tech in the class of 2017 out of Dudley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was considered the No. 337 overall player in the country, the 11th-ranked dual-threat quarterback and the seventh best player in the state of North Carolina.
The 6-foot-4 gunslinger started 15 games for Virginia Tech over the last two season. Hooker threw for 2,894-yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while rushing for 1,033 career yards. He averaged 4.2 yards per attempt and rushed for 15 touchdowns.
“To Hokie Nation,” Hooker said when he announced his transfer. “2020 has had its ups and downs, but I am grateful for God’s grace. I am forever thankful to Virginia Tech for helping me to become the man I am today.
“Thank you Coach Fuente and Coach Cornelsen for giving me the opportunity to play the game that I love and to be a thread in the fabric of Hokie Nation. Also, a special thanks to the staff and trainers for believing in me. Thank you to all of the fans that have supported me throughout the years. Upon December graduation, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Being a Hokie has been an unforgettable experience. To all of my brothers, I love you all like my blood. Captain Hook signing out. Once a Hokie, always a Hokie.”
Hooker split time this past season with Oregon transfer Braxton Burmeister. He missed Virginia Tech’s first two games of the season due to injury, but returned to action in Week 3 and started seven of the Hokies’ eight remaining games.
This season, Hooker completed 65.3% of his passes this season, threw for nine touchdowns, five interceptions and passed for 1,339 yards. He rushed for 620 yards and nine touchdowns.
In 2019, Hooker threw 13 touchdowns to two interceptions. He completed 61.1% of his passes on his way 1,555 passing yards, while rushing for 356 yards and five touchdowns.
Hooker has two years of eligibility remaining. He joins a Tennessee quarterback that currently has two quarterbacks on scholarship in Harrison Bailey and Brian Maurer. Four-star quarterback signee Kaidon Salter is set to be an early enrollee.
