COLUMBUS, Ohio – Many Ohio State fans may not have known who Malik Hooker was going into Saturday's season opening game. But they do now.

The redshirt sophomore defensive back had to wait his turn to get on the field with the Buckeyes and almost quit the team early in his career but all of that is in the past. The future is now, and bright, for the Ohio State safety.

"It is a blessing because not a lot of people get to make their first start and make the plays that I made out there," Hooker said. "For it to be me, I feel extremely blessed and happy that I made the plays but I just have to get better for the team."

Hooker was one of seven Buckeyes to rack up four tackles in the game, but nobody is going to remember that. What people will remember is his two interception performance, with neither of them being routine catches.

The first was a play where Hooker drifted into the play and tipped the ball to himself and it landed in his arms while he was on the ground. The second was followed with a solid runback of 44 yards as Ohio State defenders picked off three passes on the day.

"(To) have the ability to track a ball, that is a unique art that is lost," co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said of Hooker's play on Saturday. "None of these guys play baseball anymore, balls that are hit/thrown long, it is a different track. He has the unique knack to track the football."

Hooker remained humble as the media crowded around him during postgame interviews. Hooker learned a lot of things from former teammate Vonn Bell through the years but Hooker brought his own humility to the table, something that Bell never claimed to have in excess.

"I just came here with the mindset that I am going to do what I can to help the team and whatever position they put me at or whatever I have got to do to make it, I will do it," Hooker said. "Everyone wants to come in and play so for them to put me that they did, I just felt that I had to execute what they wanted me to do."

The Ohio State defensive back got the praise of Greg Schiano, a coach who knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a successful player.

"He’s got tremendous ability," Schiano added. "The commitment he’s made in the last eight months to really become more of a student of the game and really work at his craft, it’s starting to show. He does some special things on our practice field, but you guys don’t get to see that. It’s good for him to do it in a game because that’s what counts."

For Hooker it is about the team more than the individual and he hopes that Ohio State fans and the entire nation are just seeing the start of something special.

"I knew we were good but you just have to think about how great you can be," Hooker added. "I just wanted to be the best that I could be so we could be twice as good. I feel like everyone on the defense is like that."

Hooker's lead could become infectious for the Buckeyes and that would suit the coaching staff just fine.

"He’s an incredibly gifted guy, as far as explosiveness, speed range," Schiano said. "And then he works hard. He works at his craft... When your best athletes are your hardest workers, you’ve got a chance for results and he’s starting to get them now."