Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker may have only had one season as a starter during his collegiate career, but that didn’t keep him from enjoying an excellent campaign in 2016.
In fact, Hooker’s lone season as a starter in college earned him a spot on the Big Ten All-Decade Team, joining his new teammate in running back Jonathan Taylor.
Hooker’s 2016 season was immaculate. In 13 games, he recorded 74 tackles (43 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss and seven interceptions. Three of those interceptions he took to the house.
Hooker was one of the top safeties to come out of the draft in 2017 and most had him pegged right behind Jamal Adams of the New York Jets.
It has been a rocky road for Hooker since entering the league. He’s shown plenty of promise and his talent is still there, but the Colts declined his fifth-year option.
Facing a prove-it year, Hooker will need to conjure up some of that magic he enjoyed during that 2016 season at Ohio State.
