Hendon Hooker NFL Draft: Is the Lions QB Related to Malik Hooker?

The Tennessee Volunteers have yet another pick in the first round. This time, though, it also doubles up as a comeback story for their QB Hendon Hooker. Hooker, who is still recovering from a torn ACL injury, was picked by the Detroit Lions using their #68 pick. What’s more, as has been the trend in this year’s draft, it seems Hooker shares his last name with another NFL star: Cowboys’ safety Malik Hooker.

Hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, Hendon Hooker started his football life in high school itself. The 6’4″ QB finished high school with over 6,000 yards passed and 55 touchdowns scored in 41 games. His talent and skill carried on to his college life as well. Playing in Virginia Tech for 3 years, and then Tennessee for another 2, he managed to throw for 7,656 yards and scored 68 touchdowns in just 36 games.

Is Hendon Hooker related to Malik Hooker?

Like a few others before him in this year’s draft, Hendon Hooker shares the same last name with an already-established player in the NFL. Naturally, everyone is scrambling to figure out if the two are related. However, it’s safe to say that Hendon Hooker has no relation to Cowboys safety Malik Hooker. It seems each player has their own set of siblings to worry about for now.

Hendon’s arrival in Detroit could be seen as a sign with regard to Jared Goff. Though the Lions maintain he is their first choice, his contract does expire next year. This means the now-recovering Hooker could potentially take over if Goff does not re-sign with the Lions. All in all, Hooker will have to start absorbing everything that he needs to succeed, or even compete with, Jared Goff as QB#1 for the Lions.