Iowa football: A look at which non-senior Hawkeyes may enter this years NFL Draft
By Andrew Wade
Amani Hooker
Hooker is the surprising addition to this list, but that’s what happens when you become to the jack-of-all-trades safety for a stout Iowa football defense that traditionally sends a good chunk of players to the NFL.
His value this season playing pretty much every position on the team was recognized by the Big Ten as he was awarded First-Team All-Big Ten honors and received the 2018 Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award.
The junior from Minneapolis, Minnesota built off a breakout sophomore season to have 59 tackles, four interceptions, one sack, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
He was undoubtedly the most valuable player on a defense that finished the season ranked 7th in the nation in yards allowed per game. If that isn’t enough to send your stock soaring, I don’t know what is.
He has the ideal size for a safety in today’s NFL at 6’0”, 210 pounds, but it doesn’t appear like draft scouts are taking notice yet. In fact, he is not listed on any of The Draft Network’s analyst’s top ten safety’s list.
If he were to return, he would be joining a secondary that loses just Jake Gervase and a linebacker group that would have another year under its belt allowing Hooker to continue to develop as a safety prospect.
Verdict: Stays for his senior year