What advice Hendon Hooker had for Joe Milton as former Tennessee QB attended Vols practices this week

Hendon Hooker still watches every Tennessee football game.

The former Vols quarterback who finished fifth in the 2022 Heisman Trophy voting still communicates with coach Josh Heupel and jokes with his friends on the team since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round.

Hooker has been in Knoxville this week watching the Vols in practices and attending meetings. He spent a good amount of time with his current starting quarterback and friend: Joe Milton.  

Hooker spoke to Knox News on Zoom about his recovery since his ACL tear last year and what he thinks of Milton’s play. The No. 16 Vols (6-2) host UConn (1-7) on Saturday (noon ET, SEC Network), and Hooker is planning to be there.

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Hooker’s two seasons at Tennessee concluded on Nov. 19, 2022, against South Carolina where he tore his ACL.  

Almost a year later, he said he’s on the back end of his rehab. While Hooker has not participated in Lions practices and doesn’t have a timetable for a return, he's done everything else expected of him. He said he's on track to "really get back to maximum strength in my leg."

He is doing a lot of weightlifting along with throwing sessions and individual walkthroughs with coaches each week.

Hooker said he has developed a bond with backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. While the veteran has Hooker fulfill small rookie duties such as driving him to the airport, Bridgewater also shares details about his knee injury experience in 2016. 

“We talk almost every day about something new that he's (done) for his leg,” Hooker said. “He tore everything, ACL, MCL, meniscus. So he's been through the worst but he sheds a lot of light on things to do to help me recover the proper way.

“When the coaches or Teddy is sharing information with me, I hold it near and dear to my heart because they have nothing but the best interest in mind.”

What Hendon Hooker said about Joe Milton

Hooker said he and Milton speak every week. Hooker said he’s enjoyed watching his former teammate evolve as Tennessee's quarterback.  

“I’m excited to see this growth that he’s been going through this year,” Hooker said. “He lost Bru McCoy from the outside so he's been leading a lot of these young guys."

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Hooker has not been surprised by Milton’s success.  

“I knew Joe's gonna be a big-time player, you know, the moment that I met him,” Hooker said. “He’s very smart and very athletic and he's a natural thrower of the football. So I knew he was gonna make plays, regardless.”

Hooker is also confident in Milton’s ability to handle criticism.  

“I mean, that’s just comes with the game,” Hooker said. “Joe’s been in that position before so he knows what comes with it. Fans are gonna be fans and love you, hate you and love you again. So just go out there, have fun and do what you love doing.”

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email [email protected]. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.