COLUMBUS – The first — but probably not the last — Buckeye to announce that he will forego remaining eligibility, All-America safety Malik Hooker is leaving to enter the 2017 NFL draft after one sensational season as a starter.
Hooker redshirted in his first year at Ohio State and played sparingly in 2015. This season he stepped into the starting lineup and led the Buckeyes in interceptions with seven, including a school-record three returned for touchdowns. He also made 74 tackles, third best on the team, and had 11 passes defended.
https://twitter.com/MalikHooker24/status/816008455102275584
Hooker announced his intentions Monday with a post on Twitter (above). He thanked teachers, coaches and teammates for his growth “both as a football player and as a person.”
He said after talking with his family, “we have decided its best for me to forgo my remaining two years of eligibility and declare for the 2-17 NFL draft.”
Junior hybrid back Curtis Samuel is another leading member of the 2016 team who might decide to leave early for the NFL but quarterback J.T. Barrett and guard Billy Price both hinted they might return.