Hendon Hooker, the former quarterback for Tennessee, might rekindle his relationship with a former Vols teammate in the NFL.

It’s an intriguing storyline: Hendon Hooker, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback now backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, may soon share the field with someone who knows him well. According to multiple NFL insiders, the Lions are working out former UT running back Jabari Small this week, effectively reuniting two familiar faces from the Volunteer days (That pitcher and catch dynamic—quarterback and ball carrier—carries its own subtle chemistry, though for this duo, it was more QB and running back: Hooker and Small carried the offensive load for Tennessee in 2021 and 2022, blending shared experience into their play.

Detroit’s quarterback room is well-defined: Goff as starter, with Hooker entering his third season aiming to solidify his role as backup on the depth chart . The Lions’ interest in Small includes evaluating how he might fit as a versatile pass-protector and depth option  From Tennessee: Small piled up 2,122 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, along with 32 catches for 247 yards and two scores over his collegiate career—a contributor both on the ground and in the passing game. That versatility could make him appealing to Detroit as a third‑down asset, particularly given the Lions’ value of reliability over standout athleticism

This workout opens the door for a reunion. For Hooker, who’s spent part of the last season watching from the bench and working back from an ACL tear, familiarity with a Vols’ teammate could provide comfort and chemistry in the QB room—even if they don’t share the field often. Football is as much about connections off the turf as on it. And in Detroit’s QB setup, where Hooker remains behind two established players—Goff and newly-signed veteran Kyle Allen—any bonding may be more psychological, part of culture and mutual support

At Tennessee, Hooker and Small overlapped in pivotal years: 2021 and 2022. These were the seasons when Hooker emerged as a standout signal-caller, culminating in being named SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 . It was a period of confidence-worthy performances that undoubtedly built bonds—on live, under-the-pump college Saturdays, when trust between QB and back is earned one snap at a time. That foundation of trust may translate neatly into NFL settings, even if their roles shift.

Detroit’s QB room itself reflects an organizational philosophy emphasizing mentorship and team culture—something evident in Hooker’s relationship with Teddy Bridgewater, who returned in late 2024. Hooker referred to Bridgewater as “my mentor,” explaining that they’d been talking “since the summer,” and that Bridgewater was a resource “for any questions I have about life or this game of football”. If Detroit values mentoring relationships between teammates, then a Hooker–Small reconnection offers another layer of rapport-building within the broader offensive group.

That said, the Lions’ interest in Small is rooted in utility. Small isn’t described as an explosive athlete, but rather as a dependable contributor—especially in pass protection and third-down contexts. In today’s NFL, where running back committees thrive on specialization—touch backs, pass downs, short-yardage plunges—a player like Small can carve a specific role. For Hooker, having a back he knows instinctively could help in any situational reps they share.

A solo quote from Aaron Wilson, via X/Twitter, nails it:

That mention of lineage is interestingly reflective of what the Lions seek: players rooted already in football culture, not just raw talent. If you add the Vols link to that, it becomes a story worth watching — more collaborative than conspiratorial, but still meaningful for fans who cherish narrative arcs.

Looking at Hooker’s NFL journey brings context. Drafted in the third round in 2023, his rookie campaign was virtually non‑existent as he completed an ACL rehab and stayed on the non-football-injury list until December . In 2024, he saw his first snaps, limited but symbolically important: six completions in nine attempts for 62 yards, plus some rushing yards in relief . Throughout that season, he was the backup to Goff until Teddy Bridgewater arrived late and took that No. 2 spot

Going into 2025, there’s uncertainty about Hooker’s status: Lions signed Kyle Allen to compete for backup duties . Hooker must continue earning the spot he’s claimed—something team leadership emphasized earlier in the offseason . That competitive environment might make familiar teammates even more valuable: connecting with a college friend who’s chasing similar goals—earning his place in the NFL baselines in Detroit.

If Small signs, it would speak to the Lions’ recruiting strategy: they seem to prefer players with clear roles and strong cultural frameworks, rather than whipping in flashier prospects that might veer from defined team paths. For Hooker, a teammate he’s already built off-field trust with could reinforce the office-room energy. The QB room has already shown its mentorship culture with Bridgewater, and Small’s arrival could further strengthen positional cohesion—tightening the offense around players who share a voice, a tempo, a narrative.

The broader NFL context also matters. Teams often target college teammates to replicate successful dynamics at the next level. There’s a league-wide history of QB and RB duos that translate well from college—think of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch at Wisconsin, Matthew Stafford and Joseph Addai at Georgia Tech. Not all such duos thrive, and expectations shouldn’t jump too quickly in Hooker–Small’s case. Still, the fundamental idea—that connection built in college can jump-start NFL opportunities—holds. Detroit might see that connection as a bonus if Small passes initial evaluations.

In terms of concrete fit, how would Small impact beyond bond-building? He showed reliable pass-protection skills and could step into third-down situations—where specialized roles rule. That, plus his Tennessee production, gives him a role profile recognized by NFL evaluators . For Detroit, he’s not a marquee pickup but a depth piece with upside—a piece that adds both functional depth and a relational tether to their backup QB.

Yet, amid all this, there’s caution. Hooker isn’t assured of maintaining the backup job. Competition is stiff. Hooker must shine when called upon, and remain ready behind Goff—a veteran starter likely to get extensions, barring injury . Meanwhile, Small must impress in workouts and practices: he’ll need to show he belongs in the Lions’ committee plans to earn a roster spot. The Lions are clearly the type of team building for roles, not narratives—but the narrative remains compelling nonetheless.

Then there’s the fan-lens: Lions fans get excited about these connections. Emotional ties to college players feed nostalgia. Hooker was a hero at Tennessee—earning All-SEC honors and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. Small was part of that run. Fans in Detroit love a tale of Vols arriving in Michigan, reunifying, adding emotional texture to otherwise transactional roster moves.

But being a former Vols duo does not guarantee success in Detroit. They’ll have to adapt to new teammates, coaches, systems and expectations. NFL speed, audible libraries, pressure can expose elements unnoticed in college. Small might need time to adjust to pro blocks; Hooker must adjust to the Lions’ offense, which differs from Tennessee’s. Reunions make headlines; execution determines jobs.

Still, potential for synergy exists. Hooker, a mobile quarterback who showed growth despite ACL recovery , could find a rhythm with a running back who anticipates his reads, knows his cadence, understands when and where he’ll throw screens or checks. Even in practice, that could elevate Hooker’s reps.

Detroit’s culture around quarterbacks seems robust. Hooker’s relationship with Bridgewater hints at a QB room that embraces mentorship rather than competition. That’s healthy. It suggests if Small joins, he’ll drop into a culture already embracing connection. A former college teammate might slot in easily, smoothing relationships across position groups as Bridgewater did.

The longer lens suggests this: the Lions are experimenting with depth layering—starter, veteran backup, developmental players. If they’ve invited Small, it signals they’re building redundancies. Hooker’s fate remains contingent on his performance, but Small offers insurance in running back depth. Their shared Tennessee history turns a routine evaluation into storyline gold: possible reconnection, college friends reuniting to chase Super Bowl dreams.

From a coaching perspective, the pairing could be symbolic. Coaches often value players who’ve already gelled. Add to that Hooker’s public respect for Bridgewater—his openness about their mentor relationship —and the QB room emerges as a hub of mutual teaching and leadership. That’s core to Detroit’s vibe: group over individual. If Tennessee’s reunification fits that, the move isn’t just practical—it’s philosophical.

Ultimately, this storyline hinges on whether Jabari Small is signed after the workout. The initial reports specify a workout this week ) but don’t yet confirm a contract. Should Detroit sign him, watch for what it signals: elevating Hooker’s environment, bolstering running back depth, adding college chemistry. If not, it remains a fleeting connection—nice to note but minor in roster terms.

For Hooker personally, the narrative resonates. He endured injury and recovery, fought for a spot behind an entrenched starter, accepted demotion to third-string after Bridgewater’s arrival. To see a former teammate come in lifts morale, reminds him of winning culture, hometown roots in Tennessee. It anchors him in his identity beyond the injury and NFL turbulence—a quarterback with real connections.

Detroit’s narrative around Hooker is still being written. This could become a chapter: from Tennessee star to Detroit backup, reuniting college teammates, showing depth, reinforcing culture. Or the reunion may be minor, a blip. But the fact that it’s getting attention underlines the interest in Hooker’s journey and the emotional impact college connections still hold in pro careers.

At the end of the day, their success together in Detroit depends on practice fields, training camp, games—starts, snaps, chemistry, and performance. The story is compelling, but execution determines opportunities. Hooker must continue earning the backup role; Small must show tangible skills and carve a roster slot. If both do, the Vols’ reunion may echo on Sundays—not as a headline, but as quiet evidence of culture, continuity, and chemistry.

Either way, it’s a storyline worth following—Hendon Hooker, the resilient former Tennessee quarterback, now in Detroit, perhaps relinking with a teammate who shared highs during those SEC campaigns. Their potential partnership might bring football logic and emotional resonance, blending Tennessee’s tradition with Detroit’s present. And for both players, it may feel like coming home in an increasingly transient league.

I can keep updating once we know whether Detroit signs Small, how they perform, and whether Hooker’s stock rises further. Let me know if you’d like more game‑by‑game tracking, depth‑chart analysis, or how this move might shape Detroit’s season.