Hendon Hooker, the former Tennessee Volunteers star who was selected 68th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, is now carving out a role on the Tennessee Titans as the team’s emergency third quarterback.
A Comeback in the Making
While his NFL résumé consists of only three regular‑season appearances and a handful of preseason snaps in 2026, Hooker has been entrusted with the responsibility of backing up Cam Ward and Mitchell Trubisky, the sole quarterbacks retained on the Titans’ 53‑man roster.
Hooker’s college career peaked in 2022 when he guided the Volunteers to the top of the College Football Playoff rankings before a knee injury cut short his senior season, a setback that has not dampened his determination to return to the field.
In recent remarks, Hooker thanked the state of Tennessee for welcoming him back, calling it his home and praising the competitive atmosphere of the Titans as he works daily to refine his craft and vie for a permanent starting spot.
The Titans will open their season on September 13 against the New York Jets, and Hooker is slated to dress as the emergency third quarterback, poised to step onto the field should the need arise.