Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker didn't see any action during his rookie season with the Detroit Lions.
Hooker, who was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Lions, spent much of the 2023 season rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in late 2022 in Tennessee's loss to South Carolina.
With Jared Goff entrenched as the Lions' starting quarterback last season, there was never a need for Hooker to see the field -- even after he was activated from the non-football injury list in December.
But despite not seeing any game action as a rookie, Hooker still managed to impress his teammates in Detroit.
Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeil recently appeared on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast and he made it clear that he was impressed by Hooker's arm during practices last season.
"He's doing well, he's doing very good," said McNeil. "I get along with Hendon, obviously, because he's from here. He's from North Carolina. He's from Greensboro. About an hour from Raleigh, if that. We got that connection there. Hendon is doing good. He was at practice. He was our scout team quarterback. His arm was smooth as butter. Oh my gosh, it's so beautiful. His arm is strong, too. He's got a strong arm."
It could be a while before Hooker, who turned 26 earlier this year, gets a shot to start with the Lions. For now, Goff is the guy in Detroit. And it looks like he might be receiving an extension, which would ensure that Hooker remains in a backup role with the Lions.
You never know what could happen -- injuries could provide an opportunity for Hooker -- but at least for the time being, Hooker's "smooth as butter" arm will only be seen in Detroit's practices.
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