Virginia Tech Football: QB Hendon Hooker removes name from Transfer Portal

Virginia Tech QB Hendon Hooker will remove his name from the NCAA Transfer Portal and will return to the Hokies in 2019, he announced on his personal Twitter account.

Hooker, a rising redshirt-sophomore, becomes the second member of the Hokies to return to the program after entering attempting to transfer, joining running back Deshawn McClease. He has rejoined the team in offseason workouts and is expected to be a full participant when spring practice opens on March 3rd.

Hooker appeared in three games as a redshirt-freshman for the Hokies this past season. In his first collegiate carry against William & Mary, he rushed for a 69-yard touchdown, which is his most impactful play of his career thus far.

With QB Josh Jackson moving on to the University of Maryland, Hooker is expected to compete with senior Ryan Willis, as well as highly-touted redshirt-freshman Quincy Patterson for the starting quarterback job in 2019.

While Hooker is seen by many as a long shot to win the starting job next season, head coach Justin Fuente has deemed it as an open competition with all three quarterbacks being seen on a level playing field heading into spring ball.

With Hooker back in the mix, spring football just got much more interesting for the most important position on the offense heading into preparation for next season.