Dallas Cowboys 2014-2016 SAF - Malik Hooker (2016 All-American, 2016 All-Big Ten, National Champion)

2. MALIK HOOKER IN 2016
Malik Hooker’s out-of-nowhere breakout 2016 performance went down as arguably the best season by a safety in Ohio State history.

Though he eventually became known across the country as a ball hawk, Hooker had essentially no track record before his third year as a Buckeye. He entered the program as a three-star recruit from New Castle, Pennsylvania, and didn’t play a snap as a freshman, taking a redshirt. The following season, he played mostly special teams, recording 10 tackles.

Hooker’s opportunity finally came in 2016 when Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell had left for the NFL, freeing up two starting safety spots. He won one of them, making his first play in front of public eyes in the spring game that year when he snagged a pair of interceptions, including an 82-yard pick six.

Those plays portended the greatness that followed in the fall.

Hooker intercepted seven passes, taking three of them back for touchdowns. The pick and subsequent 16-yard return for a score against Michigan gave the Buckeyes their only first-half points. Passing offenses feared Hooker, who also recorded 74 tackles, the most among the team’s defensive backs, and had 5.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups.

 

Colts are declining the fifth-year option of safety Malik Hooker, per source.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 4, 2020

 

Frank Reich still "expecting big things" from Malik Hooker https://t.co/GWCJmnXmZU

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 5, 2020

 

Malik Hooker becomes the third Buckeye on BTN's All-Decade squad, joining Wyatt Davis and Billy Price, but the only Ohio State defensive back to make the first team. https://t.co/emaEiohxkg

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 1, 2020

 

"It's an honor, just to even be in that category."@OhioStateFB great @MalikHooker24 joins @BTNDaveRevsine to discuss making the #BTNAllDecade Team, and much more.

More ➡️ https://t.co/6JM815E36S pic.twitter.com/DaEp7gLUZl

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) July 1, 2020

 

Two players Colts GM Chris Ballard has singled out for having terrific camps— corner Rock Ya-Sin and safety Malik Hooker. Rock "just keeps ascending." And he praised Hooker "for being a total pro" during the offseason and camp after the team didn't pick up his option.

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) September 6, 2020

 

Damn man.

Colts’ S Malik Hooker is out with an Achilles injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2020

 

Haven't confirmed whether Malik Hooker has a torn Achilles, but he is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow, source says. Could be the Colts second such injury in as many weeks.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 20, 2020

 

Source: #Colts S Malik Hooker did, in fact, tear his Achilles and he’s out for the season. A tough loss to a stout Indy D.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2020

 

Former #OhioState safety is set to visit with NFL teams in free agency (FREE)https://t.co/DAubmtkrTG pic.twitter.com/QnjKib7FAi

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) May 4, 2021

 

Former #Colts first-round safety Malik Hooker spent yesterday visiting the #Steelers, source said. He has also visited the #Dolphins and the #Cowboys this offseason.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2021

 

Malik Hooker hoping to visit more teams. https://t.co/d21lgDmtmS

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 13, 2021

 

The #Cowboys and former first-round pick Malik Hooker have visited twice and he provides help at a position of need. Assuming all goes well, he’ll join Dallas with a chance to kick-start his career.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2021

 

Cowboys sign safety Malik Hooker. pic.twitter.com/GVxo8csJQ4

— NFL (@NFL) July 27, 2021

 

Malik Hooker joins the Dallas Cowboys. https://t.co/b0wQSnHXXt

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 27, 2021

 

Contract terms for Cowboys S Malik Hooker: one-year, $920,000 deal with $490K fully guaranteed. Includes some injury protection for team. Hooker yet to practice for club, being eased into fold while coming off Achilles tear. He won't play tonight vs. Steelers.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 5, 2021

 

"We're going to advance him..." HC Mike McCarthy on Malik Hooker.

Here's the latest on the newly-signed safety's training camp participation.

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 7, 2021

 

.@MalikHooker24 took that! 😤#DALvsNYG | 📺 : @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/asVN0zQiS5

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 19, 2021

 

Safety Malik Hooker staying in Dallas on a 2-year, $8 million deal, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022

 

Malik Hooker comes up with the huge INT for the @DallasCowboys 🔥

📺: #DALvsLAR on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/dCuo7DIlNd pic.twitter.com/J6Jh14Nakq

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2022