Jonboy Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 MALIK HOOKER, S, Ohio State 6'2, 205 lbs, Sophomore Round Projection: 1st Stats 2016- 74 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 7 INT, 3TD, 4 PD 2015- 10 tackles Who is Malik Hooker? Hooker wasn’t talked about nationally as much as many other players, but there’s no question he was one of the best defensive players in the nation this past season. He was a complete player as a redshirt sophomore, and has drawn comparisons to arguably the best NFL safety of all time, Ed Reed. http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2017/1/18/14311360/ohio-state-news-malik-hooker-nfl-draft-thad-matta Better known for his abilities on the basketball court at New Castle High School, Hooker tried out for the football team as a junior and major college programs like Ohio State started to take notice. He redshirted in 2014 and struggled to adapt to the demands of major college football, almost quitting and transferring to a smaller college closer to home to play basketball - Urban Meyer credits Hooker's mother (Angela Dennis) for not allowing him to quit. Hooker stayed in Columbus and trusted the coaches, playing in all 13 games as a special teamer in 2015 with plenty of hype coming from his performance in practice. ... Despite starting for only one season in Columbus, Hooker quickly created NFL buzz. When evaluating the safety position, scouts are looking for three main traits: range, instincts and tackling skills. And Hooker has the ability to be above average in all three areas. ... Gifted athlete with impressive blend of burst, body control and reflexes. Outstanding play speed, covering a lot of green. Magnet to the ball due to his cover awareness, field vision and range. Transfers weight to smoothly open his hips, turn and run without gearing down. Impressive lower body explosion and leaping skills. Unique timing/anticipation to break on the ball and make plays most defensive backs don't. Elite ballskills with the innate ability to find, judge and disrupt the catch point. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2139273/malik-hooker Cutups vs Nebraska http://draftbreakdown.com/video/malik-hooker-vs-nebraska-2016/ vs Clemson http://draftbreakdown.com/video/malik-hooker-vs-clemson-2016/ vs Wisconsin http://draftbreakdown.com/video/malik-hooker-vs-wisconsin-2016/ Highlights Supdawg, and Number9 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonboy Posted January 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Actually learned a few things I didn't know about Hooker when I worked on this one. Had no idea about his history as a bball player and nearly quitting football. As good as he looked in 1 year, something tells me Robinson may shy away from him given he only had 1 year of production and there could be uncertainty about how much he loves football. Justafan, Atticus, EagleEye, and 1 other 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmeade- Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 He can cover centerfield like crazy. I expect him to run very, very well at the combine. Against Clemson is the best mashup. Ohio state respected the pass more and had him playing more of a NFL safety role. They condensed the field a lot against lesser opponents. He does seem to take some bad angles when defending the run or run after catch. His range and ball skills are amazing though. Mythos27 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charleytolar Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 20 minutes ago, Dmeade- said: He does seem to take some bad angles when defending the run or run after catch. His range and ball skills are amazing though. Maybe just how undersized Power Forwards are trying to make it as TEs in the NFL, maybe rangy centerfielders who can't hit the curveball should try out as NFL Free Safeties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmeade- Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 3 minutes ago, charleytolar said: Maybe just how undersized Power Forwards are trying to make it as TEs in the NFL, maybe rangy centerfielders who can't hit the curveball should try out as NFL Free Safeties. I take it you don't like Hooker? Lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
charleytolar Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 (edited) 2 minutes ago, Dmeade- said: I take it you don't like Hooker? Lol No actually I just mocked him to us at 1-5 in my latest no-trade mock. It's my least favorite mock though but not because of him-- just the dearth of selections by sticking at 1-5... My comment was just to suggest an alternative career path in one of the lucrative professions of professional sport. Edited January 20, 2017 by charleytolar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeTn Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 I believe the lack of on-field work will hurt Hooker's draft spot. Not sure it will push him all the way to the 2nd round, but I wouldn't be to surprised. He is a talented kid, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siamesedinasour Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 I think this is an interesting comparison. Malik Hooker as a sophomore: 74 tackles (43 solo, 31 assisted), 7 INTs, 5.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 4 PBUs Mark Barron as a sophomore: 74 tackles (42 solo, 32 assisted), 7 INTs, 3.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 11 PBUs Jonboy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepingTitan Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 Still more of an Adams guy. Don't see Hooker as top 10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WG53 Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 1 year of production and he is top 10 prospect? Nope. Justafan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamRamrod Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 There are some...odd criticisms in this thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 @Jonboy I request you do one for Lattimore Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonboy Posted January 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 1 minute ago, headhunter said: @Jonboy I request you do one for Lattimore He's definitely on the list. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzTitan Posted January 20, 2017 Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 For what it's worth, his highlights are full of great stuff for such a short time starter. Hard to imagine what 3 years worth would look like. He is a playmaker for sure, something Titans fans have been asking for on defensive for a long time. Maybe the team has to roll the dice a bit to get it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonboy Posted January 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2017 12 minutes ago, OzTitan said: For what it's worth, his highlights are full of great stuff for such a short time starter. Hard to imagine what 3 years worth would look like. He is a playmaker for sure, something Titans fans have been asking for on defensive for a long time. Maybe the team has to roll the dice a bit to get it. Exactly. That's the argument. What's the risk/reward when it comes to flashes of greatness, but on limited production? That's what JRob has to decide. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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