Billy Napier gives scouting report on Vols QB Hendon Hooker

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi09/22/22

ZachAbolverdi

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Another week, another talented quarterback going up against the Florida defense. The Gators faced a pair of NFL Draft prospects the first two games in Utah’s Cameron Rising and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Last Saturday they faced South Florida QB Gerry Bohanon, who rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown. The Baylor transfer led the Bears to a Big 12 Championship last season.

“We’ve been going against a lot of athletic quarterbacks,” Florida OLB Brenton Cox Jr. said. “The first three games have been ranked opponents except USF, but that’s still a pretty great quarterback.”

The Gators will be matched up Saturday against an elite signal caller in Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker. He’s thrown for 844 yards and six touchdowns with no picks through three games, producing the nation’s No. 5 passing offense.

UF coach Billy Napier gave his scouting report on Hooker during the SEC teleconference Wednesday, crediting Vols coach Josh Heupel for how he’s developed him.

“I think that first of all they do a good job systematically in terms of what they ask him to do,” Napier said. “They have a great system, and certainly Coach Heupel puts him in a good position. He does a good job of taking what the defense gives him. Really good awareness relative to the importance of taking care of the ball.

“And he does a good job of extending the play if it does get a little bit muddy. He’s a good athlete and oftentimes will use his legs. Couldn’t be more complimentary of growth as a player and certainly he’s off to a great start this year.”

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