Ohio State All-American safety Malik Hooker, who earned a starting job just this year, will forgo his redshirt junior season and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
Here is the statement he shared via Twitter.
Buckeye Nation:
The past three years have been among the most trying yet most fulfilling years of my life. Even though my time here didn't start off the way I planned, I have gained a love and appreciation for Columbus that is hard to punt into words.
I can't thank my OSU family enough for taking in a small town kid like myself and allowing me to grow into a man. Thanks to my teachers, coaches, and my fellow Buckeyes, I've grown considerably both as a football player and as a person.
This growth has led me to make one of the toughest yet most exciting decisions of my life. I have talked with my family and we have decided its best for me to forgo my two years of eligibility and declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
I want to thank God first and foremost for blessing me with the opportunity to make this decision, my family, and my friends for getting me to where I am today. I have built friendships that will forever last.
And of course, I would like to extend my thanks to Buckeye Nation! It's been a pleasure to be able to compete at the highest level with the best fans and band in the nation! I can't wait to build upon the legacy that is THE Ohio State University each and every Sunday on the gridiron.
OH-IO!
Until next time!
Hooker, a three-star 2014 signee from New Castle, Penn., was one of a handful of bright Buckeye performances in the Fiesta Bowl. He finished with 7 tackles, 5 solo, and an interception.
In his one year of starting, he finished with 84 total tackles, 5.5. tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, and three pick-sixes, establishing a new school record for interceptions returned for a touchdown in one season.
Congratulations @MalikHooker24. Unanimous All-American with school records for INTs returned for TDs in a game, season (3) and career (3). pic.twitter.com/mux7F3THNb
— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) January 2, 2017
As for his current stock, here is former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns scout (and current NFL Network analyst) D.J. Jeremiah:
Just finished studying Malik Hooker...the Ed Reed comps are accurate. He's a very special player.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 1, 2017
Expect Hooker to be the first safety off the board in the 2017 NFL Draft, which opens April 27 in Philadelphia.
