Hendon Hooker Bio
Alan Hendon Hooker is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 13, 1998, in Greensboro, North Carolina, Hooker played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Tennessee Volunteers, earning recognition as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and has since continued his professional career with multiple organizations.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 220 pounds, Hooker combines mobility with a strong arm, traits that defined his college success. After recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in college, he transitioned to the professional level and has gradually built his resume as an NFL quarterback.
Early Life and Background
Hendon Hooker was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, the son of Alan Hooker and Wendy Hooker. His father, Alan, is a North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame quarterback, which gave Hendon an early and direct connection to the sport. Growing up in a football-oriented household, Hooker was introduced to the game at a young age and developed his skills through neighborhood play and organized youth football.
Hooker attended James B. Dudley High School in Greensboro, where he became one of the most productive quarterbacks in the program’s history. During his high school career, he passed for 6,027 yards with 55 touchdowns and added 2,975 rushing yards with 48 touchdowns on the ground. He finished as Dudley’s all-time passing leader and was named the 2016 4A state championship MVP after leading the team to a state title. Hooker also played basketball, scoring more than 1,000 career points, and was a three-time All-Metro conference selection in that sport as well.
Path to Professional Football
Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, Hooker committed to Virginia Tech in 2016, choosing the Hokies after visiting the campus and feeling a strong connection to the program. As a freshman in 2017, he competed with Josh Jackson for the starting quarterback role and was eventually redshirted, preserving a year of eligibility. He continued to develop in Blacksburg and was named the Hokies’ starter in 2019.
After two seasons as Virginia Tech’s primary quarterback, Hooker transferred to the University of Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season. He took over as the starter midseason following an injury to Joe Milton and quickly became one of the most productive passers in the SEC. His growth under head coach Josh Heupel culminated in a stellar 2022 campaign, establishing him as one of the top quarterbacks in college football and a legitimate NFL prospect heading into the 2023 draft.
Hendon Hooker Career
Early Career at Virginia Tech (2018–2020)
Hooker’s first extended action at Virginia Tech came during the 2019 season, when he took over as the starter and guided the Hokies to bowl eligibility. Across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, he appeared in 25 games with 15 starts, completing 197 of 312 passes for 2,894 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns combined across those two seasons.
His dual-threat ability was on full display during the 2020 season, including a dominant performance against Boston College in which he passed for 111 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 164 yards and three scores. Despite playing in only eight games that year due to the shortened schedule, Hooker showed the consistency and athleticism that would later define his success at Tennessee.
Tennessee Volunteers Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Hooker’s arrival at Tennessee marked a dramatic turnaround in his collegiate trajectory. In 2021, he stepped in as the starter midseason and delivered one of the most productive campaigns in program history, throwing for 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns while adding 616 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. His six games with at least three passing touchdowns included a 316-yard, four-touchdown performance against Kentucky and a 378-yard, five-touchdown showing in the Music City Bowl against Purdue.
The 2022 season elevated Hooker to national prominence. He opened the year with a 59–10 victory over Ball State in which he accounted for four total touchdowns and followed it with a 325-yard passing effort in an overtime win against #17 Pitt. Hooker then led Tennessee to a 38–33 victory over rival Florida, a 40–13 win over #25 LSU, and a memorable 52–49 victory over #3 Alabama. In that Alabama game, he threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns, leading the Volunteers to their first win over the Crimson Tide since 2006. He finished the year with 3,135 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and just two interceptions in 11 starts, earning SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest placement for a Tennessee player since Peyton Manning in 1997.
Detroit Lions Era (2023–2025)
Hooker was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round (68th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in July 2023 as he continued to recover from a torn ACL suffered during his senior season at Tennessee. After being activated in December 2023, Hooker did not appear in a game during his rookie year.
He made his NFL debut on October 13, 2024, in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, relieving starter Jared Goff in the fourth quarter of a 47–9 victory. The appearance marked his first regular-season action after nearly two full years away from game play. On August 25, 2025, Hooker was waived by the Lions.
Carolina Panthers and New York Jets (2025–Present)
Following his release from Detroit, Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on August 27, 2025. He was released by the Panthers on November 4, 2025, and on December 18, 2025, he was signed to the New York Jets’ practice squad. His role with the Jets provides an opportunity to continue developing within an NFL system while competing for a spot on the active roster.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hooker is recognized for his dual-threat capabilities, combining efficient downfield passing with the mobility to extend plays and produce on the ground. His accuracy and decision-making flourished under Tennessee’s up-tempo offense, and his experience operating in the SEC prepared him for the complexity of professional defensive schemes. As he continues his NFL development, his arm talent and athleticism remain his most defining traits.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments, the 2022 victory over Alabama stands out as the signature win of his collegiate career, breaking a long losing streak against the Crimson Tide. He also became the first Tennessee player since Peyton Manning to finish in the top five of Heisman Trophy voting and was named First-Team All-SEC in 2022. His NFL debut in 2024 against Dallas capped a long recovery journey from his college knee injury.
Hendon Hooker Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Hendon Hooker comes from a deeply rooted football family. His father, Alan Hooker, is a North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame quarterback whose legacy directly influenced Hendon’s path to the sport. His mother, Wendy Hooker, has been credited alongside her husband for instilling discipline, faith, and a strong work ethic in her children. Hendon has two siblings: an older sister, Nile, who has helped manage his social media presence and Name, Image, and Likeness deals, and a younger brother, Alston, who plays quarterback at North Carolina A&T.
Personal Life
Hooker is a practicing Christian who has spoken publicly about how his parents introduced him and his siblings to church at an early age. He has credited his father’s mentorship in their church’s youth ministry for shaping his perspective on using football as a platform to share his faith. Along with his brother Alston and his younger cousin Landon, Hooker co-authored a children’s book titled The ABCs of Scripture for Athletes, which uses a sports-themed alphabet to help young readers learn scripture.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a transitional year for Hooker at the professional level. After being waived by the Detroit Lions in late August, he joined the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad and remained with the organization until his release in early November. During his time in Carolina, he continued to refine his understanding of NFL-level offensive schemes while waiting for an opportunity to return to an active roster.
In December 2025, Hooker signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad, providing him a fresh opportunity within a developing offensive system. His focus throughout the latter portion of the year has been on consistency, health, and preparation, with the goal of earning a role on the active roster. His athleticism, experience in spread offensive systems, and proven track record at the collegiate level give him a foundation to build upon as he works toward becoming a full-time contributor in the NFL.
Looking ahead, Hooker’s blend of arm talent, rushing ability, and leadership experience positions him well to compete for a backup or developmental role in 2026. His journey through multiple organizations in a single season reflects both the challenges and the perseverance that have defined his career to this point.