Hendon Hooker made one last trip back to Knoxville before officially kicking off his NFL career in training camp with the Detroit Lions.
The former Tennessee football quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy candidate hosted a youth event Saturday at Carter High School.
Hooker, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, said it's special to be on the other side of the camps he grew up going to.
Hooker wasn't fully cleared from the torn ACL he suffered in his final college game on Nov. 19 to participate in Detroit's OTAs in May and June,
but said Saturday that his rehab is "progressing really well."
"I'm really just taking it day-by-day and continuing to build my body back up to where I want it to be and even better," Hooker said.
In two seasons at Tennessee, Hooker threw 58 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.
He ranked No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency in 2022 and was named the SEC Player of the Year.
And he broke Peyton Manning’s school records for completion percentage and passing efficiency.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Hooker is going into his first training camp looking to learn from all the veterans and coaches in the organization.
Hooker expects to come out and make a couple plays, but is focused on soaking up all the information he can. He has already gotten along well with the Lions' coaching staff, too.
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"I love the Detroit staff," Hooker said. "They're very supportive. Always teaching and hungry to get better.
There's a competitive aspect from every coach that we have. It's always a competition on the field. Offense, defense it's always going to be some chatter going back and forth, and I love that.
I want be a part of something that's going to continue to progress to get better, and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to win ballgames."
Hooker will officially begin his NFL career this month. He'll report to training camp with the Lions' other rookies on July 19.
"Just being back (in Knoxville) and taking a step back from Detroit, I'm missing the work," Hooker said. "So I'm ready to get back at it."