Malik Hooker

Safety| Ohio State| Redshirt Sophomore

Height:6-foot-2 | Weight: 205 pounds

College Stats

2016: totaled 74 total tackled with five tackles for loss, seven interceptions and a forced fumble; ranked second nationally with 181 interception return yards; named as a First-Team All-American; earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors; semifinalist for the Thorpe Award

Career: totaled 84 total tackles with five tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks; played in 26 career games; took over starting role at safety after redshirting as a freshman and playing sparingly as a sophomore

Combine Results

Hooker did not do any drills due to injury

Profile

Summary:One of the top safeties in the draft, Hooker could have been a Division I basketball player but chose football instead. His athleticism shows in the secondary as he has great instincts for the ball. Hooker is still raw and has only been playing football since 2012, but he has the tools of a playmaker for years to come.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said Hooker's "Outstanding instincts help him work ahead of the play despite average speed. Always probing quarterback's eyes for clues. Quick to process and is decisive in action. Flows hard to where his instincts lead him. Has fluid movement of a basketball player in space. Leans and bends into his turns for greater body control."

Stacking up: NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks has Hooker as his top-ranked safety prospect for his position. Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated has Hooker as the No. 2 safety in the draft, while NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock has Hooker as the third-ranked safety prospect.

Mr. Pick-Six: Hooker led the nation with three interception returns for touchdowns in 2016.