Age is just a number, even if you're an NFL quarterback.
Hendon Hooker's stock seems to have risen to first-round levels, if recent rumors are to be believed. The Giants, Lions, Commanders and others have met with the Vols quarterback ahead of the 2023 draft, but he does come with his own list of concerns.
First is his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered during the 2022 college football season. Hooker insists that he will be ready for the start of the 2023 NFL season, though the timeline feels a bit tight. The other issue is his age.
Hooker is one of the older draft-eligible prospects in this year's draft, and he could be one of the oldest quarterbacks ever taken in the first round if his name is called on April 27.
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Age is no guarantee of efficiency — and youth is no guarantee of innovation. Here's what to know about Hendon Hooker's age ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft:
How old is Hendon Hooker?
Hooker is 25 years old. Born on January 13, 1998, Hooker will be 25 years, 104 days if he's selected during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That would keep him in pretty rare company in draft history.
If he is selected in the first round, Hooker will be second-oldest QB ever selected in the first round in the common draft era (since 1967). The oldest QB is still Brandon Weeden, who was 28 years and 195 days when he was selected by the Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Hooker would be older than Jim Druckenmiller (24 years, 212 days), Phil Simms (24 years, 181 days), Kenny Pickett (23 years, 326 days) and Chad Pennington (23 years, 294 days).
MORE: How Hendon Hooker's injury could affect his draft stock
Why did Hendon Hooker transfer from Virginia Tech?
Despite playing for the Hokies in the first three years of his career, Hooker felt as though Blacksburg wasn't the place to take his game to the "next level."
"I was looking for a place where I could communicate with my head coach, QB coach and OC and have a path to the next level," Hooker told The Athletic.
As it turns out, old working relationships paid off for Hooker. Then-Tennessee running backs coach Jay Graham had a prior relationship with Hooker, and the passer cited Graham as a reason to make the move.
"All the way through my recruiting process, he (Graham) always showed a lot of love and I appreciated that. Just hearing from him meant a lot," Hooker said. "The conversations were great. It was great energy on both sides. Just feeling that love was appreciated. It’s been a long journey and I want to end somewhere where I’m needed and loved. That was something I could feel was genuine from the jump."
The transfer worked out for Hooker. In 2021, he threw 31 touchdowns, blowing by his previous season high of 13. In 2022, he also set a new personal standard for passing yards, throwing for 3,135. His previous career high was 1,555.
MORE: Ranking the top 10 QBs in the 2023 NFL Draft
Hendon Hooker's age vs. other 2023 NFL Draft quarterbacks
Hooker isn't the oldest quarterback in this year's draft. That title is held by two-time national champion quarterback Stetson Bennett, who is older than Hooker by 77 days.
Here's how some of the other draft-eligible QBs stack up (age as of April 27, 2023):
| Quarterback | Age |
|---|---|
| Bryce Young | 21 years, nine months, six days |
| C.J. Stroud | 21 years, six months, 24 days |
| Will Levis | 23 years, 10 months |
| Anthony Richardson | 20 years, 11 months, five days |
| Hendon Hooker | 25 years, three months, 14 days |
| Tanner McKee | 22 years |
| Dorian Thompson-Robinson | 23 years, five months, 13 days |
| Jake Haener | 24 years, one month, 11 days |
| Clayton Tune | 24 years, one month, four days |
| Max Duggan | 22 years, one month, 15 days |
| Jaren Hall | 25 years, one month, two days |