The number of scholarship players on Ohio State’s roster from the state of Pennsylvania currently stands at one.
That player is redshirt sophomore safety Malik Hooker.
But despite being the only member of the Buckeyes from the Keystone State, Hooker said Wednesday after practice the return trip this weekend for a game at Penn State doesn’t really matter all that much to him on a personal level.
“It’s not too different. It’s just another game,” Hooker said. “I guess you could say that because I’m going back to my home state and a lot of people from back home are going to be watching and stuff like that, but to me, it’s another game.”
Those who have watched Hooker this season have certainly been impressed.
The New Castle, Pa. native leads Ohio State with four interceptions — a number that leads the Big Ten and is tied for second in the country. He announced his presence to the college football world during his first-career start, a 77-10 victory for the Buckeyes over Bowling Green, when Hooker closed serious ground from his safety position, tipped the ball up with one hand, and corralled his first-career pick.
When he was asked if people might know him a little bit more now when he makes that return to his home state this weekend, the redshirt sophomore flashed a big smile.
“Yeah, it’s definitely always good to go back and a lot of people know who you are and are aware of what position you play and stuff like that,” Hooker said. “But again, it’s just another game for me. I don’t look at is as I’m going home and playing in front of anybody. I’m just going there to try and get the job done.”
If Ohio State wants to remain unbeaten, Hooker and the rest of the Buckeyes’ defense will certainly play a big part in that. Ohio State struggled a bit defensively in the first half of its most recent win over Wisconsin and with the Nittany Lions possessing an All-American candidate at running back in Saquon Barkley, the Buckeyes’ defense must be up to the task.
“He’s a very dangerous player,” Hooker said. “You’ve got to go out there, you’ve got to tackle well, pursue the ball and everybody has got to run to the ball because if you don’t he’s capable of making a lot of great, big plays.”
Through six games, Hooker ranks fourth on the Ohio State defense with 29 tackles. He provided strong run support in the second half of that win over the Badgers as the Wisconsin jet sweeps that were quite successful in the first two quarters didn’t work as well in the final two.
But Hooker’s biggest strength is his ability to use his instincts in pass coverage. He plays center field a lot of times for Ohio State and opposing quarterbacks must keep their eyes on the talented safety.
And as a former high school basketball star and a guy who wasn’t highly-recruited, Hooker somewhat came out of nowhere this season after sitting for two years behind Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell. A Pennsylvania native, Hooker said he knew of some of the Penn State players growing up even if they didn’t know him.
“A lot of the guys, I was coming up and I’m not sure if they know me but I was watching them when I came up,” Hooker said. “I heard their name a lot so I know a lot of the guys that are on the roster.”
The Penn State players — and the rest of the country for that matter — certainly know Hooker now.
