When the Buckeyes were recruiting Malik Hooker, it was not even sure if Hooker was completely sold on playing football with hoop dreams still alive for the New Castle (Pa.) native. Football won out and after a stellar 2016 campaign, NFL dreams have come true for Hooker. He is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 15 pick of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hooker only started for one season at Ohio State but made the most of it with a staggering seven interceptions during that one year, taking three back for touchdowns.

The safety was also third on the team in tackles with 74 and was credited with four pass breakups and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Hooker was the first underclassman from the 2016 team to declare for the NFL Draft, just a few days after Ohio State's season-ending loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl. Hooker had two years of eligibility left but also saw the writing on the wall that his draft stock was as high as it was going to get and leapt at the chance to take his game to the next level.

It has been a very good couple of years for Ohio State defensive backs in terms of making the leap to the NFL. The Buckeyes put three into the league after the 2015 season and should put three more into the league after the 2016 season as well.