CHARLOTTE— Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker have had a lot of conversations over the years.

The two former SEC quarterbacks first met in 2022 at the Manning Passing Academy, where they connected over the pressures and expectations of playing the most visible position in the sport.

"Me and Bryce have been cool, before the draft process, going back to like the Manning Camp," Hooker shared 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."

A year later, they were at the airport together, traveling to the combine as two passers projected to be selected in the first two days of the draft, which they were. Young was the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick, and Hooker was taken in the third round by the Detroit Lions.

For two hours, they killed time waiting on their flight to Indianapolis, discussing everything from the granular parts of the position to the big picture of their dreams coming true.

"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."

And on Wednesday, the two likely discussed what it means to be in the same quarterback room for the first time, after the Panthers signed Hooker to the practice squad.

But there is one conversation they've barely touched, … one about the 2022 Alabama-Tennessee game.

"I think we might have talked about it like once since we played that game, at the rookie premiere," smiled Hooker.

The game was everything great about college football. There was the pageantry, with over 100,000 fans packed into Neyland Stadium to watch the No. 3 Tide take on the undefeated No. 6 Vols. It was the pinnacle of rivalries, as the two teams faced off in their annual "Third Saturday In October" matchup, with Tennessee trying to avenge a 15-year losing streak against a dynasty. There were traditions, with the winner getting the spoils, including victory cigars, a tradition started in this particular matchup by Bear Bryant himself.

And it was a barnburner. After years of Alabama dominating the series in wins and points, save for the 2009 game, which the Tide famously won 12-10 on a walk-off blocked field goal, the 2022 game pitted Young—the reigning Heisman Trophy winner—against Hooker, who was garnering Heisman hype of his own.

Both guys went toe-to-toe for drive after drive.

Young finished with 455 passing yards, going 35-of 52 for two touchdowns and no interceptions, leading seven scoring drives (Bama's last drive of the game ended in a missed field goal, which would've made eight).

Hooker didn't back down, going 21-30 for 385 passing yards, adding 56 rushing yards, and throwing five touchdowns to one interception. Of the Vols' 14 drives, eight were scoring, none more important than the last.

The sixth-year senior got the ball back on his own 32-yard line and only 0:15 seconds on the clock. He ran a two-minute drill to perfection, throwing two passes for a total of 45 yards and getting the Vols into field-goal position for the walk-off score.

Tennessee won 52-49 in an instant classic that ended with the goal posts in the Tennessee River.

"They say that there were some bad calls in that game," shrugged Hooker this week. "I don't know about that, but I know we won."

The winter and spring after that game, Dave Canales was deep in college tape, preparing for the NFL draft. He saw a lot of both guys when watching that game, but he's smart enough to steer clear of deep-seated college football rivalries in his current quarterback room.

"I'm sure Hendon's already brought it up in the locker room, or he may not have out of respect," smiled Canales. "But that's a touchy, touchy subject, you know, that I'm going to just steer clear from right now."

Even with college football starting tonight and really kicking off in earnest this weekend, there is plenty more for the two passers and Canales to talk about amongst themselves. Hooker and Canales established a strong connection during the combine interviews and a team visit. After things ended with the Lions this week, and Hooker cleared waivers, both QB and coach remembered those conversations.

"I just wanted to go somewhere I was wanted," Hooker 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."

Added Canales, "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."

The move also gave him a chance to reconnect with former college teammates, such as Cade Mays (Tennessee), and Virginia Tech teammates Yosh Nijman and James Mitchell, the latter of whom he was also with in Detroit.

And it brings him home.

The Greensboro, N.C. native spent his childhood attending camps put on by Steve Smith Sr., Jake Delhomme, and Ricky Proehl. Now, he's in the same colors he grew up donning.

Said Hooker, "It was a lasting image in my mind of that Panthers logo."

And Young may have a lasting image in his mind of his new teammate, as well.