Ohio State’s Malik Hooker declares intent to return in 2017
Ohio State Buckeyes star sophomore safety Malik Hooker has declared his intentions to return for the 2017 season, huge news for Urban Meyer’s crew…
In the landscape of today’s college football, it’s rare that you’ll see guys return with as high of NFL stock as someone like Ohio State safety Malik Hooker, but he says that’s what we can all expect.
“Right now it’s 100 percent sure I’m coming back to Ohio State,” Hooker said.
Hooker is just a redshirt sophomore, but has six interceptions this season, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. He’s shown some of the best ball skills in all of college football, and has helped Ohio State have a chance at competing in the CFB playoff again this year after missing out a season ago.
Why would someone like Hooker turn down the opportunity to be a first round pick? Well, there are likely a number of reasons, not the least of which is simply being at Ohio State, which is an incredible privilege for a young athlete.
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Not only that, but Hooker wasn’t on the ‘active’ roster when the Buckeyes won the National Title and the first ever CFB playoff title back in 2014. He would probably like a shot at the National Championship next year if the Buckeyes don’t get it this year.
Aside from just being able to be part of the illustrious Ohio State program for another year, Hooker has plenty of work to do as an NFL prospect. He just might not be ready yet in terms of his overall game. The ball skills are there, but NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah says there’s another aspect of his game that needs work:
“…He has the best ball skills of any defensive back in the country. His tackling is still a work in progress, though — he had a couple fly-by missed tackles in this game (against Michigan).”
So, it appears Hooker will return for at least his junior season, and probably nothing more. This is a potentially elite playmaker at the next level, and another year of college seasoning should only cement his status as a top flight NFL safety prospect.