The Tennessee Titans selected Hooker in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. In order to draft Hooker, the Tennessee Titans executed a trade that sent their fourth (121st overall) and fifth round (157th overall) picks in the 2019 NFL Draft to the New York Jets and in return received the fourth round pick (116th overall) used to draft Hooker, as well as a fifth round pick (168th overall).[9] He was the 11th safety drafted in 2019.
On September 8, 2019, Hooker made his professional regular season debut in a 43–17 win at the Cleveland Browns. In Week 4, he collected a season-high four combined tackles (three solo) in the Titans' 24–10 win at the Atlanta Falcons. He finished his rookie season in 2019 NFL season and played in all 16 games, primarily on special teams, and finished with a total of 20 combined tackles (15 solo).[14] The Tennessee Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and qualified for a playoff berth. I. January 4, 2020, Hooker appeared in his first career playoff game and made one tackle in a 24–10 win at the New England Patriots in the AFC Wildcard Game. On January 19, 2020, Hooker made the first catch of his career on a 28-yard reception by punter Brett Kern in the Titans' 24–35 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.[15]
Hooker was slated to resume his role as a backup safety and appear on special teams. During training camp, he also competed to be the primary slot cornerback against rookie cornerback Kristian Fulton.[16] Head coach Mike Vrabel named him the primary backup safety to kickoff the season, behind starters Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro.[17]
On September 27, 2020, Hooker made one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and made his first career interception during a 31–30 win at the Minnesota Vikings. He sealed the victory in the fourth quarter after intercepting a pass by Kirk Cousins intended for wide receiver Adam Thielen, but was deflected by teammate Kevin Byard.[18] In Week 9, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles (six solo) during a 24–17 win against the Chicago Bears. In the 2020 season. On November 22, 2020, Hooker earned his first career start after Kenny Vaccaro was inactive due to a concussion and recorded six combined tackles (three solo), deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass attempt to Devin Duvernay thrown by Lamar Jackson during a 30–24 victory at the Baltimore Ravens.[19]
He finished the 2020 NFL season with a total of 51 combined tackles (35 solo), eight pass deflections, and four interceptions in 16 games and three starts.[20] The Tennessee Titans finished 2020 first in the AFC South with an 11–5 record and advanced to the playoffs where they were eliminated after a 13–20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wildcard Game.
Following the release of Kenny Vaccaro, Hooker competed against Dane Cruikshank and Matthias Farley in training camp to takeover at starting free safety.[21][22] Outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was promoted to defensive coordinator and subsequently named Hooker and Kevin Byard the starting safeties to start the season.[23]
On September 12, 2021, he started the Tennessee Titans' home-opener and made six solo tackles and a six-yard reception before injuring his foot and exiting the 13–38 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. On September 14, 2021, he was officially placed on injured reserve and missed the next four games (Weeks 2–5).[24] On October 18, 2021, he was officially activated off of injured reserve.[25] Hooker was inactive for the Titans' Week 7 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs due to a groin injury.[26] In Week 9, he collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 28–16 win at the Los Angeles Rams. Hooker finished the season with 62 combined tackles (38 solo), four pass deflections, one interception, and a forced fumble while starting all 12 games he appeared in.[27]
The Tennessee Titans completed the 2021 NFL season atop the AFC South with a 12–5 record, earning them a first round bye. On January 22, 2022, Hooker started in the playoffs for the first time in his career and recorded eight combined tackles (four solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass to Samaje Perine from Joe Burrow in a 16–19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Game.[28]
On September 9, 2022, the Tennessee Titans signed Hooker to a three-year, $33 million contract extension that includes $17.15 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10.00 million.[29] Hooker and Kevin Byard entered training camp slated as the presumed starting safeties.[30] Head coach Mike Vrabel officially named them the starting safety tandem to begin the season, alongside starting cornerbacks Kristian Fulton and Caleb Farley.[31]
Hooker sustained a concussion and was inactive for two games (Weeks 4–5).[32] In Week 7, he recorded a season-high ten combined tackles (nine solo) and recovered a fumble during a 19–10 win against the Indianapolis Colts. The following week, Hooker suffered a shoulder injury during a 17–10 victory at the Houston Texans and was sidelined for the next three games (Weeks 9–11).[33] He injured his knee and subsequently missed three more games (Weeks 15–17).[34] He finished the 2022 NFL season with a total of 46 combined tackles (39 solo), three pass deflections, an interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery while being limited to nine games and nine starts.[35] The Tennessee Titans did not qualify for a playoff berth after ending the season with a 7–9 record.
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen retained Hooker as the starting free safety, alongside Kevin Byard, to kick off the regular season. On September 10, 2023, Hooker made five combined tackles (three solo), two pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and intercepted a pass by Derek Carr intended for Juwan Johnson, but exited the 15–16 loss at the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter due to a concussion. He was subsequently inactive the following week as the Titans won 27–24 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In Week 3, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) in a 3–27 loss at the Cleveland Browns. During Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored a rare defensive two-point conversion after intercepting a tipped pass thrown by Gardner Minshew.[36] On December 22, 2023, the Tennessee Titans officially placed Hooker on injured reserve due to a knee injury and he remained inactive for the last three games (Weeks 16–18).[37] Throughout the season, he recorded 85 combined tackles (69 solo), seven pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 13 games and 13 starts.[38]
On January 9, 2024, the Tennessee Titans announced the firing of head coach Mike Vrabel after finishing the 2023 NFL season with a 6-11 record.[39] On January 22, 2024, the Tennessee Titans officially hired Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as their head coach.[40] Throughout training camp, Hooker competed Quandre Diggs, Elijah Molden, and Jamal Adams for a role as a starting safety under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.[41] Hooker was named the starting strong safety to begin the season, alongside free safety Quandre Diggs.[42]
On October 13, 2024, Hooker got his first interception of the season by picking off Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 6 of the 2024 season.[43] On November 3, 2014, Hooker recorded five combined tackles (three solo), a career-high three pass deflections, and had a career-high two interceptions off of pass attempts by Drake Maye in a 20-17 overtime win against the New England Patriots.[44] The following week, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles (five solo) as the Titans were defeated 14-52 at the Detroit Lions. On December 22, 2024, Hooker made five combined tackles (four solo), one pass deflection, and set a career-high with his fifth interception of the season off a pass attempt by Anthony Richardson to Andrew Ogletree during a 30-38 loss at the Indianapolis Colts. He injured his shoulder during the game and subsequently missed the remaining two games of the season (Weeks 17-18).[45] He finished the season with 71 combined tackles (47 solo), a career-high nine pass deflections, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 14 games and 14 starts.[46] and was named as an alternate to the 2025 Pro Bowl.[47]
Johnathan Lee Joseph is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. Joseph also played for the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals.
Reggie Lee Nelson is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, winning a national championship and earning consensus All-American honors. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft and also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders.
Alterraun Ennis Verner is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning first-team All-American honors. Verner was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He was voted second-team All-Pro and named to the Pro Bowl with the Titans in 2013. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins.
Da'Norris Searcy is an American former professional football safety. He played college football for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Logan Daniel Ryan is an American former professional football defensive back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played college football at Rutgers as a cornerback and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. Ryan also played for the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. He played cornerback for the first seven seasons of his career before switching to safety in 2020 and playing the position in his last four seasons.
Kenneth Dwayne Vaccaro is an American former professional football player who was a safety for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) and founder and CEO of the Gamers First organization. They have teams in Halo and other major Esport titles. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft and also played for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns. On December 1, 2021, he retired to pursue a career in Esports.
Johnathan Ken Cyprien is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the FIU Panthers and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Cyprien also played for the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers.
Avery Milton Williamson is an American former professional football linebacker. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football at Kentucky.
Alvin "Bud" Dupree Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kentucky, and was drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.
Adoree' K. Jackson is an American professional football cornerback and return specialist for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Jim Thorpe Award and the Jet Award during his junior season in 2016. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Jackson spent four seasons with the Titans before signing with the Giants in 2021.
Kevin Leon Byard III is an American professional football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Byard was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2017, his second season in the NFL, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and the first-team All-Pro and was the co-leader for most interceptions throughout the season. Additionally, he led the NFL in takeaways with 10.
LeShaun V. Sims is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Southern Utah and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Sims has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Minkah Annane Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft before being traded to the Steelers during the 2019 season.
Chidobe Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Colorado and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Jayon Lee Brown is an American former professional football linebacker. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, after playing college football at UCLA.
Harold Antonio Landry III is an American professional football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Boston College and was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Jeffery Bernard Simmons Jr. is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Titans with the 19th pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Jessie Bates III is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Sean Murphy-Bunting is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Jarvis Jever Brownlee Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and the Louisville Cardinals.
References
↑ Wyatt, Jim (August 2, 2019). "Amani Hooker". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
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