Buckeye Football Freshman Focus — Safety Marcus Hooker
Ohio State offered Marcus Hooker on July 26 of last year. He committed on the 27th. Hooker didn’t need to learn much about Ohio State because he already knew all about it thanks to his brother Malik.
Like his brother, Marcus (6-0 185) was a two-sport star at New Castle High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Hooker is both a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-point scorer.
A 3-star prospect, Hooker was ranked the No. 60 cornerback in the 2018 class and the No. 642 player overall. He projects to safety for the Buckeyes.
For a comparison, Malik was a 3-star prospect as well. He was ranked the No. 33 athlete in the nation and the No. 360 player overall. If you’ll recall, he ended up being an above average player.
What To Like
Marcus Hooker played all over the football field in high school. On offense, he spent time at running back and quarterback. On defense, he played a lot of linebacker as a junior. As a senior, he played safety, but has also seen time at cornerback. To put it another way, he’s usually the best athlete on the field and is put in a position to impact the game on every snap.
His time at linebacker has made him no stranger to stopping the run, which will come in quite handy in the Big Ten.
Here’s a glimpse at his pursuit and arrival.
Hooker is a physical defender against the run and the pass, but isn’t one of those guys who just looks for big hits. He still finds those big hits, but he usually brings some wrapping with him.
There are some football players who always find ways to make something happen, and in high school, that was Marcus Hooker.
On offense or defense, Hooker made his team better.
The Potential
At this point, doubting the potential of a member of the Hooker family seems like a foolish endeavor. That may put a heavier burden on Marcus’ shoulders, but it wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to deal with it.
Hooker’s athleticism has allowed him to play a handful of very distinct positions.
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