When Stanford tight end Austin Hooper was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, he didn’t know how soon he would earn a starting role. Hooper simply came into training camp, competing and making himself ready if the opportunity for a larger role if it came.
In October, it did.
When Falcons’ tight end Jacob Tamme suffered a shoulder injury against the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 30, Hooper stepped in without hesitation.
“Obviously, you feel bad for a guy like that that’s what having such a great year but at the same time, I have to get my mind right because it’s ‘next man up,’” Hooper said. “It’s been a great opportunity for me to get some more reps and just grow as a player.”
The rookie received for 262 yards on 18 receptions and caught for two touchdowns so far this season.
Filling the shoes of Tamme, an eight-year veteran, is no small task, but Hooper’s been successful with the company of the experienced tight ends with whom he mentally prepares for opponents with every week. In fact, the Falcons’ entire tight end group is coached by Tamme, even though the eight-year veteran is no longer participating on the field.
“Hoop is a guy who is ascending,” coach Dan Quinn said. “He’s a football junkie, so he was kind of learning, and Jacob is actually a really good mentor for him even when he’s been hurt. He’s such a terrific teammate that he’s challenged him and tried to find a role for how to help Hoop now. That part of Hoop’s game I thought over the last probably two weeks I’ve noticed it even more in terms of practice and his explosion coming out. He looks good.”
Tamme caught 22 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns before he had season-ending shoulder surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
For the Falcons’ tight ends, Tamme’s experience off the field with game planning has been invaluable as the Falcons (8-5, 3-3) fight for a playoff seat and an NFC South championship over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5, 3-4).
“Tamme still actually comes in and runs the meetings and just breaks down things that he sees with the defense we have coming up,” tight end Levine Toilolo said. “He’s been around for a while and he seen a lot of different things and when you have that players perspective I think there’s just some things that he can try to relay that to coach doesn’t necessarily see or isn’t able to get across so I just think him being able to break down film with us to is a big help.”
Toilolo, a four-year veteran with the Falcons, shares a Stanford background with Hooper. Although the two didn’t play for the Cardinals’ at the same time, Toilolo remembers Hooper as a talented, smart tight end that the Cardinals knew would bring success to the program. Toilolo played tight end at Stanford from 2010 through 2012 while Hooper’s redshirt freshman season was in 2014.
In two seasons at Stanford, Hooper caught for 937 yards and eight touchdowns.
Filling in for the experienced leader Tamme on the field might be daunting for a rookie, but Hooper courageously took on the challenge and has succeeded enough to start the past two games.
“I think he has a calm confidence about him, and I think the coaching staff and the players around here, I think we have a great group of guys here and you’re able to come in here and just kind of be yourself,” Toilolo said. “I like to think at Stanford we have pretty good guys come out of there and just genuine people. I think he was a great addition to our group and I think he’s done a great job this year.”
Although Hooper is praised for his work ethic, his production stalled after the Falcons’ bye week. In the past three games, Hooper had 13 yards on three receptions. Before Tamme’s injury, in games where Hooper was targeted by quarterback Matt Ryan, he averaged 20.3 yards per reception. Since Tamme’s injury, he averaged 4.3 yards per reception in games where’s he’s targeted.
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