Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker, both former SEC quarterbacks, have developed a relationship that began before their NFL careers. The two first met at the Manning Passing Academy in 2022, where they discussed the complexities of playing quarterback at a high level.
“Me and Bryce have been cool, before the draft process, going back to like the Manning Camp,” Hooker said Wednesday. “We would have long conversations about play calls, about changing protections, about what we’re seeing, ID the defense, and really just playing at a high level.”
Their bond continued to grow as they prepared for the NFL draft. Young was selected as the Carolina Panthers’ No. 1 overall pick in 2023, while Hooker was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round. They spent time together during travel to the NFL combine.
“I remember traveling to the combine, me and Bryce, I think we might have talked for maybe two hours on just pass protection in the airport,” Hooker added. “But we’ve had a pretty good bond for a pretty long time.”
This week marked another step in their connection as Hooker joined Young in Carolina after signing with the Panthers’ practice squad. The pair now share a quarterback room for the first time.
Despite their shared experiences, one topic rarely comes up: their memorable college matchup during the 2022 Alabama-Tennessee game. In that contest, both quarterbacks delivered standout performances—Young passed for 455 yards and two touchdowns; Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns—before Tennessee secured a last-second win.
“I think we might have talked about it like once since we played that game, at the rookie premiere,” said Hooker.
Reflecting on that game this week, Hooker noted: “They say that there were some bad calls in that game,” he said. “I don’t know about that, but I know we won.”
Panthers head coach Dave Canales watched both players closely while preparing for past drafts but prefers not to revisit old college rivalries within his team.
“I’m sure Hendon’s already brought it up in the locker room, or he may not have out of respect,” Canales said. “But that’s a touchy, touchy subject, you know, that I’m going to just steer clear from right now.”
Hooker’s arrival in Carolina also reunites him with former college teammates Cade Mays (Tennessee), Yosh Nijman and James Mitchell (Virginia Tech), with whom he previously played in Detroit.
For Hooker—a Greensboro native—the move is significant on a personal level as well. He attended camps hosted by Steve Smith Sr., Jake Delhomme and Ricky Proehl during his youth and now joins his hometown team.
“It was a lasting image in my mind of that Panthers logo,” said Hooker.
Canales expressed optimism about working with Hooker: “It’s the same guy, same depth of character. I really just happen to like him a lot, and plus all the talent. I’m really excited for him to be here this season.
“Smooth thrower, a lot of power in his arm. I can tell he’s worked on his footwork, his base, and fundamentals since college. He looks like he’s really dialed into the technique.”
Hooker also emphasized his desire to develop under Canales’s guidance: “I just wanted to go somewhere I was wanted,” he explained. “And wanted to develop and learn, and coach told me that he would like me to come learn under him, and we have a great bond from the draft process, just reminiscing on those talks that we had then; I’m eager to learn from him.”
