NFL scout isn't buying 'first-round buzz' on top QB prospect

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker may be rising on some NFL team's draft boards, but one NFL scout has his doubts. 

This week, an NFC scout told ESPN's Jeremey Fowler that due to Hooker's age, injury history and the scheme he played at Tennessee, he'd be weary of using a first-round selection on the Volunteers QB. 

"Some are putting out first-round buzz, but I'm not buying it," the scout said. "But I could see him going to a team that's established looking at him as more of a high Day 2 player." 

Hooker tore his ACL against South Carolina last November, raising questions over his draft stock come April. However, earlier this month, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Hooker received a "positive medical" update on his status and should be healthy enough to play by the start of the 2023 NFL season. 

With a clean bill of health, Hooker continues to shoot up draft rankings. Initially expected to be a Day 2 pick at the earliest, it seems Hooker might hear his name much earlier. Last week, James Palmer of NFL Network said on Steve Smith's "Cut To It" podcast that several NFL teams have Hooker listed as the third-best quarterback in this year's draft. 

"There are plenty of teams that have him third on their list, right below those top two in Bryce Young and CJ Stroud," Palmer said. There's a pretty sizable gap between the top two, then Anthony Richardson and Will Levis — Hendon Hooker slides right in there." 

Despite playing in only 11 games for the Volunteers in 2022, Hooker finished first in the SEC in completion percentage (69.6), third in passing touchdowns (27) and fourth in passing yards (3,135).