Malik Hooker is staying in Big Ten country.
The Indianapolis Colts selected the Ohio State safety with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Hooker is the second Buckeye taken in this year's draft, after New Orleans selected cornerback Marshon Lattimore two picks earlier.
Hooker's rapid rise to stardom accelerated with banner performances in all 13 of Ohio State's game during the 2016 season, his first as a starter for the Buckeyes. After playing special teams and waiting behind Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell, Hooker became the playmaking, free-ranking safety defensive coordinator Greg Schiano covets with his press-man scheme on the back end of the defense.
Hooker led Ohio State and tied for second in the nation with seven interceptions in 2016, returning three of them for touchdowns. He broke up four other passes and tallied 74 tackles, third-most among his teammates. Hooker's efforts led to him receiving first-team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American honors.
Hooker also played in Ohio State's Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff with a sports hernia and torn hip labrum, both of which he underwent surgery to repair shortly after announcing his decision to spurn his final two years of eligibility and turn pro. Due to his rehab, Hooker did not work out at the NFL Combine or at Ohio State's Pro Day on March 23.
Even with the injuries, he managed to pick off Deshaun Watson in the end zone.
“I've only had one other player that has that type of range and it was Edward Reed,” Schiano said recently. “So that's pretty rare company.”
Clearly, Hooker's stock did not suffer because of the injuries. He makes it back-to-back years where an Ohio State safety came off the NFL Draft board early after Bell went 61st overall to the New Orleans Saints last year.
Hooker wasted zero time firing up Madden to play as himself:
Perks of watching the #NFLDraft from home - already playing as myself in @EAMaddenNFL!!! Lets go @Colts pic.twitter.com/Qytf7lx2fy
— Malik Hooker (@MalikHooker24) April 28, 2017
Hooker joins former Buckeyes John Simon, Johnathan Hankins and Jack Mewhort on the Colts. The last time Indianapolis drafted a safety from Ohio State was Mike Doss in 2003.
