Ohio State DB Malik Hooker entering NFL draft
Ohio State defensive back Malik Hooker won’t be back for his junior season.
The redshirt sophomore All-American tweeted Monday that he was heading to the NFL after three seasons in Columbus.
— Malik Hooker (@MalikHooker24) January 2, 2017
His decision to go to the NFL counters what he told the Columbus Dispatch in November when he said he was “100 percent sure” at the moment that he’d be back for 2017. But we can’t blame him for heading to the NFL. He’ll likely be an early pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Hooker was an absolute ballhawk for the Buckeyes in 2016. He had seven interceptions; three of which were returned for touchdowns. His pick-six in Ohio State’s overtime win over Michigan gave the Buckeyes an early 7-3 lead in the 30-27 victory.
He also had an incredible interception in Ohio State’s loss Saturday night to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Hooker came from halfway across the field to intercept a throw by Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson in the end zone.
Hooker finished the 2016 season third on the team with 74 tackles.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
