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Colts Sign First Round Pick Malik Hooker

By Luke Schultheis

May 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts 2017 first round draft pick Malik Hooker who was a safety from Ohio State University watches practice for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts 2017 first round draft pick Malik Hooker who was a safety from Ohio State University watches practice for the 101st Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts announced on Thursday that the team has signed first round pick, Malik Hooker, who the team recently selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

With Hooker now safely signed, 6 of the Colts’ 8 draft selections have been signed with only 3rd round pick Tarell Basham (OLB) and 4th round pick Grover Stewart (NT) remaining unsigned.

Dec 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the second quarter during the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) intercepts a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) during the second quarter during the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kadlubowski/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports /

The 6’1″, 206 pound Hooker is coming off a standout sophomore season for the Buckeyes in which he recorded 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed and 7 interceptions (3 returned for touchdowns)–earning 1st-Team All-American and Big Ten honors respectively.

Hooker has been highly regarded for his ‘ballhawking’ and ball-skills at safety, as his 7 interceptions tied for the 2nd most nationally this past season. He’s been one of the top offseason candidates to win next season’s ‘Defensive Rookie of the Year Award‘.

It’s worth noting that Hooker sat out this past weekend’s rookie mini-camp, still recovering from offseason hip and groin surgery. However, he should be ready to go for Colts training camp, and the team has no concerns about his long-term health going forward.

As such, Hooker is expected to be a ‘Day 1’ starter for the Colts at safety once he’s healthy.

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