Hendon Hooker Bio
Alan Hendon Hooker is an American professional football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and Tennessee Volunteers, where he was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Hooker was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Hendon Hooker was born on January 13, 1998, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He attended James B. Dudley High School, where he excelled in football and basketball. During his high school career, he passed for 6,027 yards with 55 touchdowns and rushed for 2,975 yards and 48 touchdowns. Hooker finished his high school career as Dudley’s all-time passing leader and received several accolades, including NC Preps’ All-State Player of the Year. He also played basketball, scoring over 1,000 points and earning All-Metro conference honors multiple times. Hooker was a highly regarded recruit, receiving four-star ratings from 247Sports and three-star ratings from Rivals.com.
Path to American Football
After high school, Hooker received numerous offers from Power 5 schools and ultimately committed to Virginia Tech in 2016. He began his college career as a freshman in 2017, competing for the starting quarterback position but was redshirted before the season. In 2019, he became the starter and led the Hokies to a bowl game, finishing the season with impressive statistics. Hooker played a key role in helping Virginia Tech achieve an 8-5 record that year, throwing for 1,555 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Hendon Hooker Career
Early Career (2023)
Hendon Hooker was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list as he recovered from an ACL injury sustained during his time at Tennessee. Hooker was activated from the injury list in December 2023 but did not play in his rookie season. He made his NFL debut on October 13, 2024, in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Breakthrough (2024-2025)
After his debut, Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in August 2025 but was released later that year. He then joined the New York Jets’ practice squad in December 2025, marking a new chapter in his professional career. Hooker’s transition to the NFL has been closely watched, as he aims to establish himself as a prominent quarterback in the league.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hooker was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and earned First-team All-SEC honors, showcasing his talent during his collegiate career. His performance at Tennessee was instrumental in the team’s success, leading to a resurgence in the football program.
Hendon Hooker Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Hendon Hooker has received notable nominations, including SEC Offensive Player of the Year and First-team All-SEC, reflecting his impact on the field during his college years.
Hendon Hooker Awards Won
Hendon Hooker has won several awards, including the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and First-team All-SEC honors, highlighting his exceptional performance during his collegiate career.
Hendon Hooker Family
Hendon Hooker is the son of Alan Hooker, a Hall of Fame quarterback at North Carolina A&T, and Wendy Hooker. He has two siblings: an older sister named Nile and a younger brother named Alston, who also plays quarterback at North Carolina A&T.
Personal Life
Hendon Hooker is a Christian and credits his parents for instilling a strong work ethic and faith in him. He has expressed a desire to use his platform in football to spread positive messages and influence younger generations. Together with his brother, he authored a children’s book titled The ABCs of Scripture for Athletes, aimed at helping kids learn scripture through a sports-themed approach.
