Big Ten media days is in full swing, and Friday was Ohio State’s turn to enjoy all the fun. That of course means that Ryan Day stepped to the podium to provide updates on the team and field questions from reporters. There was a lot of questions fired his way, including inquiring minds asking about the status of players.
In fact, Day told media members that safety Marcus Hooker has been reinstated to the team after being suspended because of an OVI charge earlier this year.
“He’s back with the team,” Ryan Day said Friday told the media. “He’s going through a tough time, but he’s learned a lot from it and paid his dues and went through a bunch of different programs and so, we’re supporting Marcus and he’s back on the team.”
Hooker was suspended indefinitely after being charged with an OVI on March 13. According to police reports, he was found asleep behind the wheel of his car in McDonald’s. It was the second off-the-field incident in his short time at Ohio State. He was also suspended for the 2018 season opener due to a charge of driving under the influence in Pennsylvania.
Ryan Day said safety Marcus Hooker has returned to the team. He had been suspended in March for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) July 23, 2021
Getting Hooker back is a positive on-the-field development for the Buckeyes. He is one of the most experienced defensive backs and will be counted on to help improve a unit that was one of the worst statistically in all of the FBS. Hopefully, he’s turned things around, learned some lessons, and can be a major contributor to the team in 2021.
