What is Hooker’s NFL skill set?

#1
Volizona

Volizona

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2021
Messages
1,245
Likes
1,849
#1
Seems like half of Vol Nation says he’s going to the NFL for sure and half day he’s staying fir sure. Most of these posts tell me that nobody really has a clue. So what is the NFL looking for these days? A strong arm? Some mobility? A leader with a high football IQ? Accuracy for short to medium passes? How does HH stack up in these areas? He has looked good in CJH’s offense but not sure how his skills translate into the NFL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ursaminotaur
#3
#3
Had it been confirmed that he doesn’t have a strong arm? He’s made some decent long throws. How important is a strong arm in the NFL? Tom Brady has never had a strong arm. I guess Peyton didn’t have the strongest arm either although I saw him heave it plenty of times.
 
  • Like
Reactions: volnut1 and marcusluvsvols
#4
#4
I am admittedly not a scout at any level...just a rabid Vols fan who played ball through HS...

I will say 3 things he has going for him at a minimum, maybe 4?

1. He is mobile. Drop back passers like Peyton are going the way of the dinosaurs sadly. They just are.

2. He is accurate. He sailed a couple vs UGA and it shocked people...bc he has been hitting guys in stride and threading the needle all year. Not late, behind guys, or 100mph when a touch pass was needed. He throws a beaitiful ball.

3. He doesnt turn the ball over. Currently he has 27TDs vs 3INT if memory serves. A 9 to 1 ratio in the SEC is amazing...having already played no1 UGA, no2 gumps, etc etc

4. He is about to break Peytons UT record for passing efficiency. In an offense where we SLING the ball downfield early and often. No padding stats on screens or shovel passes...he throws lots of posts and sluggos, especially off of play action. So fun to watch.

Decided to keep it to 4 long ones lmao. I think most Vol fans dont realize how great of a season Hooker has had. Nothing short of amazing. I really hope he comes back to UT, but as a Panthers fan I can tell you with certainty that Hooker is better than any Pro we have. He is that good. Really hope he stays another year but if not then I hope my Panthers draft him
 
  • Like
Reactions: perico, ursaminotaur, Godfatha and 2 others
#5
#5
IMHO, Hook will have a hard time getting drafted this year as anything more than a sixth or seventh round flyer.

He has less than a full season as a starter at UT and at VT he certainly displayed nothing that would get him drafted.

If he comes back next year and balls out, then maybe he can be in business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: matt1107, HalfullVol, salsahound and 5 others
#7
#7
Hooker’s draft stock took a nose dive against UGA.

He had an opportunity to lock up a first round draft if he played like an NFL ready Qb. He had the worst game of the year agaisnt the best defense. Def looking like a 4-5 round pick and that may be generous.

We all know Hooker has the talent to be a first round guy, but he blew it against Georgia.

Good news is we’ll probably get another year now with Hooker because of it.
 
#8
#8
Volizona said:
Had it been confirmed that he doesn’t have a strong arm? He’s made some decent long throws. How important is a strong arm in the NFL? Tom Brady has never had a strong arm. I guess Peyton didn’t have the strongest arm either although I saw him heave it plenty of times.
Click to expand...
Brady's arm is above average
 
  • Like
Reactions: salsahound
#9
#9
marcusluvsvols said:
I am admittedly not a scout at any level...just a rabid Vols fan who played ball through HS...

I will say 3 things he has going for him at a minimum, maybe 4?

1. He is mobile. Drop back passers like Peyton are going the way of the dinosaurs sadly. They just are.

2. He is accurate. He sailed a couple vs UGA and it shocked people...bc he has been hitting guys in stride and threading the needle all year. Not late, behind guys, or 100mph when a touch pass was needed. He throws a beaitiful ball.

3. He doesnt turn the ball over. Currently he has 27TDs vs 3INT if memory serves. A 9 to 1 ratio in the SEC is amazing...having already played no1 UGA, no2 gumps, etc etc

4. He is about to break Peytons UT record for passing efficiency. In an offense where we SLING the ball downfield early and often. No padding stats on screens or shovel passes...he throws lots of posts and sluggos, especially off of play action. So fun to watch.

Decided to keep it to 4 long ones lmao. I think most Vol fans dont realize how great of a season Hooker has had. Nothing short of amazing. I really hope he comes back to UT, but as a Panthers fan I can tell you with certainty that Hooker is better than any Pro we have. He is that good. Really hope he stays another year but if not then I hope my Panthers draft him
Click to expand...
No, he's not better than any of the Panthers' quarterbacks. As you stated, you're just a fan
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yanks24 and tatervol
#10
#10
He's not going this year. He blew that chance (unless he just doesn't care and really wants to move on from college ball).
 
#11
#11
USAFgolferVol said:
No, he's not better than any of the Panthers' quarterbacks. As you stated, you're just a fan
Click to expand...
I was thinking the Panthers just resigned Cam as I read his post 🤣

Stat wise Hooker had a decent game against GA, the #1 D but he didn't look good doing it. His VT stats aren't that bad either if I remember correctly.
If Trey Lance can get drafted #3 playing only one season while Mac Jones went 15th then anything is possible.
Hooker needs to be more decisive when he runs, in the NFL the D is fast.
If he grades 1-3 rounds he should go even if he's not a starter, being a back up QB isn't a bag gig though. Money and your body doesn't get beat up
 
#15
#15
WhenUrVolUrVFL said:
Hooker’s draft stock took a nose dive against UGA.

He had an opportunity to lock up a first round draft if he played like an NFL ready Qb. He had the worst game of the year agaisnt the best defense. Def looking like a 4-5 round pick and that may be generous.

We all know Hooker has the talent to be a first round guy, but he blew it against Georgia.

Good news is we’ll probably get another year now with Hooker because of it.
Click to expand...

This has and will happen to lots of QB's this year...
 
#16
#16
savannahfan said:
Yet to be determined. Needs another year.
Click to expand...
I think so too. He makes a lot of throws and generally seems to make good decisions, but he scares me being loose with the ball and it looks like he's still not totally there when it comes to pocket awareness. He's been under a lot of pressure though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: savannahfan
#17
#17
WhenUrVolUrVFL said:
Hooker’s draft stock took a nose dive against UGA.

He had an opportunity to lock up a first round draft if he played like an NFL ready Qb. He had the worst game of the year agaisnt the best defense. Def looking like a 4-5 round pick and that may be generous.

We all know Hooker has the talent to be a first round guy, but he blew it against Georgia.

Good news is we’ll probably get another year now with Hooker because of it.
Click to expand...
No, he was never going to be a first round guy. Not this year or next
 
#19
#19
WhenUrVolUrVFL said:
Hooker’s draft stock took a nose dive against UGA.

He had an opportunity to lock up a first round draft if he played like an NFL ready Qb. He had the worst game of the year agaisnt the best defense. Def looking like a 4-5 round pick and that may be generous.

We all know Hooker has the talent to be a first round guy, but he blew it against Georgia.

Good news is we’ll probably get another year now with Hooker because of it.
Click to expand...
I don't think he's ready to leave. However he just played a D recognized as one of the best ever in CFB. Their avg opposing QBR is 100... he was 124. He threw for more yds than anyone besides Nix vs UGA. He threw one of only 5 TD's thrown against them all year. And all of this... even as UGA knew that UT didn't have healthy RB's allowing them to focus on stopping Hooker throwing the ball.

I think he was and is a 4th round or later pick in this draft. Probably later. I think he has more to prove and if he does it... it will be worth a lot of money to him.


I watched years ago as Heath Shuler worked through his decision and ultimately went pro before he was ready. Heath was more than ready physically. He needed a lot more development mentally.

If I were a scout considering Hooker the question in my mind would be whether his success at UT has been a product of him or the system. Another year with Heupel in an expanded system would help establish him.
 
#20
#20
sjt18 said:
I watched years ago as Heath Shuler worked through his decision and ultimately went pro before he was ready. Heath was more than ready physically. He needed a lot more development mentally.
Click to expand...
Heath got beat up so bad. He became shell shock and scared.
 
#21
#21
He's not going.

His response was "I haven't thought about that yet". Meaning, it wasn't really an option Sept 1, and only now because he has played so well,is it even on the radar.

Doesn't mean he is going to to it. I know Kiper had him at no. 8 among QBs, but (a) Kiper is an idjut, and (b) that is definitely not a first two rounds type designation.

IMO the odds that he will be a first or second rounder are a few percent at best.

It's very unlikely that he goes.
 
#23
#23
I think he should follow what the Pitt qb did. Was considered a 5th-7th round qb last draft and is now considered a possible first rounder after a great year. Of course I’m just being selfish and think he’s key to a nice season next year.
 
#24
#24
He seems to have the physical part down pat. It’s all about getting the read right. He seems to be fine there too.

I’d like to see him as out QB next year, but if he can get that NFL, I say go for it.
 
#25
#25
TheVolsFrog said:
Heath got beat up so bad. He became shell shock and scared.
Click to expand...
I know a little more of what happened but won't share it due to respect for the family. Heath should not have left early and should have stayed away from Washington and Norv Turner.

Ditka loved him and gave him a new start but a very serious foot injury finished his career.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top