Malik Hooker, Ohio State
6-1, 206
Hooker was a four year player for the Buckeyes, including a redshirt year, but did not play as a starter until his final season in the program in 2016.
In 2015, he finished with just ten tackles. In 2016, he was named as a starter, and finished with 74 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, four PBUs, and seven INTs. He returned three of those INTs for scores.
He was named first team All-Big Ten, and first team All-American in his lone season as a starter.
The Good
Super athlete, who was an all-state basketball player with a state title in high school.
Very fast, and functionally so.
Plays with enormous burst and control.
Had a huge ball hawk season in 2016.
Able to jump like a rabbit. Gets to the high point and will battle for balls up top.
Long arms, large hands.
Reads offenses very well.
Excellent timing and precision when breaking on the football.
Can break the score going the other way.
Very stout tackler.
Cleans up messes.
Can work as a gunner on special teams.
The Bad
Limited sample size, as he really only played one full season in college.
Inexperienced, and is still learning.
Does not take a direct pursuit angle to the tackle.
Still needs to learn how to wrap up on tackles.
Can get faked out on play action.
Gets caught guessing at times.
Has missed most of this off season after surgeries for torn labrum, hernia.
Final Overview
What he did as a starter for one season at Ohio State was impressive, but I think we all would have liked to have seen more. Hooker definitely could have used one more season at Ohio State, but he followed the cash. He will get paid, but he is not game ready for the NFL just yet, and will need some serious development and coaching on the next level to make up for his lack of overall experience. Athletically, he is there, mentally, he needs some work. That said, he is still one of the best Safeties in this class, but maybe not better than Adams of LSU, in my opinion.
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