Austin Hooper

Austin Manuel Hooper Bio

Austin Manuel Hooper is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 29, 1994, in San Mateo, California, Hooper played college football for the Stanford Cardinal before the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Over his professional career, Hooper has established himself as a reliable receiving threat and two-time Pro Bowl selection, accumulating over 4,400 receiving yards and 30 touchdown receptions across nine NFL seasons.

Early Life and Background

Hooper attended De La Salle High School in Concord, California, where he was a standout football player. Rivals.com rated him as a three-star recruit, while ESPN considered him a four-star prospect and ranked him as the 261st best player in the nation regardless of position. Initially listed as a defensive end by recruiting services, Hooper ultimately chose to play tight end and committed to Stanford University to continue his football career at the collegiate level.

At Stanford, Hooper redshirted his freshman season in 2013 before making an immediate impact. His diverse heritage includes African-American, Mexican, Irish, Native American, and Belgian ancestry, reflecting his multifaceted background.

College Career at Stanford

Hooper played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2013 to 2015. In his redshirt freshman season of 2014, he appeared in all 13 games and established himself as a key contributor with 40 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference honors, signaling his potential as a future professional player.

During his sophomore season in 2015, Hooper elevated his game significantly. He recorded 34 receptions for 438 yards and six touchdowns, including a career-best 79-yard performance with a touchdown in an upset victory over then-No. 6 USC. His outstanding season led to him being named a John Mackey Award finalist, First-team All-Pac-12 Conference selection, and Third-team All-American. He finished his Stanford career with 74 receptions for 937 yards and eight touchdowns across three seasons.

Path to the NFL

On January 4, 2016, Hooper announced he would forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. He was one of 15 tight ends invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he tested exceptionally well. He finished third among all tight ends in the 40-yard dash, fourth in the bench press, fifth in the three-cone drill, and sixth in the vertical jump. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the second-best tight end prospect in the draft, while Sports Illustrated and NFL analyst Mike Mayock placed him third. Projected as a second or third-round pick, Hooper was ultimately selected 81st overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round, reuniting him with former Stanford teammate Levine Toilolo.

Austin Manuel Hooper Career

Atlanta Falcons (2016–2019)

On May 5, 2016, Hooper signed a four-year contract worth $3.21 million with a $773,428 signing bonus. He began his rookie season as the third tight end on the depth chart behind Jacob Tamme and Levine Toilolo. He made his NFL debut in the season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and recorded his first career catch on a 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan. Three weeks later, he caught his first NFL touchdown on a 42-yard pass in a victory over the Carolina Panthers.

During his rookie year, Hooper finished with 19 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. He appeared in his first playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks and was part of the Falcons team that reached Super Bowl LI. In that game, he caught three passes for 32 yards and scored a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter during the Falcons’ 34-28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots.

Hooper became the Falcons’ starting tight end in 2017 following Tamme’s retirement. He had a standout season with 49 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns, including a career-high 128 receiving yards with an 88-yard touchdown in the season opener against the Chicago Bears. In 2018, he continued his production with 71 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for Zach Ertz. His 2019 season was his best statistically, recording 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns, which earned him his second Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for George Kittle.

Cleveland Browns (2020–2021)

On March 20, 2020, Hooper signed a lucrative four-year, $44 million contract with the Cleveland Browns that included a $10 million signing bonus. He immediately became a key part of the Browns’ offense, finishing his first season with 46 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns. In the Wild Card Round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he contributed seven catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in the Browns’ 48-37 victory. The following season, Hooper recorded 38 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns before the Browns released him on March 17, 2022.

Tennessee Titans (2022)

Hooper signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 21, 2022, on a one-year contract. He appeared in all 17 games with 12 starts and finished the season with 41 receptions for 444 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers.

Las Vegas Raiders (2023)

On March 22, 2023, Hooper joined the Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in 17 games with nine starts and recorded 25 receptions for 234 yards during the season.

New England Patriots (2024–Present)

On March 14, 2024, Hooper signed with the New England Patriots. He completed the 2024 season with 45 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns. On March 9, 2025, Hooper re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year, $5 million contract. He finished the 2025 season with 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns. During Super Bowl LX, he had two receptions for 10 yards in the Patriots’ 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Playing Style and Strengths

Hooper is known as a reliable all-around tight end who excels in both receiving and blocking situations. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to be an effective red-zone target, where his size creates mismatches against smaller defensive backs. He has demonstrated the ability to make contested catches and find soft spots in zone coverage. His combination of size, hands, and route-running ability has made him a consistent producer throughout his NFL career.

Notable Events and Milestones

Hooper’s most significant career milestone came early when he scored a touchdown in Super Bowl LI during his rookie season, becoming part of the Falcons team that reached the championship game in franchise history. His two Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and 2019 solidified his status as one of the league’s top tight ends during his prime years with the Falcons. His career trajectory includes memorable single-game performances, including his 130-yard game against the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and his 128-yard season opener against the Chicago Bears in 2017.

Austin Manuel Hooper Career Statistics

Across nine NFL seasons, Hooper has established himself as a durable and productive tight end with consistent reception totals and touchdown production. His career includes two Pro Bowl selections and significant contributions in multiple playoff appearances.

NFL Statistics

Hooper has played for five NFL franchises, beginning with his tenure as a third-round draft pick with the Falcons. His best statistical season came in 2019 with Atlanta, where he recorded 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns. He has accumulated over 4,400 career receiving yards and 30 touchdowns, demonstrating consistent production at the tight end position throughout his professional career.

College Statistics

During his three seasons at Stanford, Hooper demonstrated consistent growth as a receiver. His sophomore season in 2015 was his most productive, as he earned All-American honors and finished with 438 receiving yards and six touchdowns while being named a John Mackey Award finalist.

Austin Manuel Hooper Family

Family Background

Hooper comes from a diverse ethnic background, with heritage spanning African-American, Mexican, Irish, Native American, and Belgian descent. This multicultural background reflects his unique family history.

Personal Life

Hooper maintains a presence on social media, where he shares aspects of his professional career with fans. As a veteran NFL player with nearly a decade of experience, he has become a respected voice in the tight end community and within the organizations he has played for throughout his career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked Hooper’s second year with the New England Patriots following his mid-career transition to the franchise in 2024. After signing a one-year, $5 million contract extension in March 2025, he remained a consistent presence in the Patriots’ offense, appearing in all 17 regular-season games. His production decreased from the previous season as the Patriots’ passing offense evolved under their current coaching staff, resulting in 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the reduced statistical output, Hooper’s veteran leadership proved valuable in a young locker room. He concluded his season by participating in Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks, where he recorded two receptions for 10 yards in the championship game.