Marcus Hooker, who came to Ohio State as a three-star prospect, entered the transfer portal in April.

After mulling over different schools, he decided to stay in Ohio and go to another solid football program in Youngstown State.

The 2020 season was the best year in his collegiate career with 15 total tackles, including 13 solo and his first career interception, receiving All-Big 10 honorable mention honors. Overall, he played four seasons compiling 31 total tackles for the always talent-rich Buckeyes.

In 2021, Hooker served a suspension from the team after driving while impaired in the spring but was allowed to rejoin the team during the summer.

The Penguins play in the Missouri Valley Conference in football. They are in a rebuild mode under 2nd year head coach Doug Phillips, who had a 2-9 season in 2021.

Coming off his redshirt junior season, Hooker will have two seasons of eligibility remaining in college football.

MARCUS HOOKER OHIO STATE FILE

• HEIGHT 5-11
• WEIGHT 200
• HOMETOWN NEW CASTLE, PA.
• LAST SCHOOL NEW CASTLE
• YEAR SENIOR

Follow on Social Media
Twitter: @marcushooker23
Instagram: @marcushooker23

Ohio State Overview
• Marcus is in his fourth year with the program and is a junior in eligibility
• He is majoring in human development and family sciences
• Has played in 21 games his first two seasons, including seven of eight games during the 2020 season and all 14 in 2019
• Four career starts with all coming in 2020 (Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers and Michigan State)
• Has 23 career tackles and four passes defensed, including an interception and a 31-yard return in the win over Penn State in 2020
• Had a career-best six tackles (five solos) in the Penn State game
• After redshirting as a freshman in 2018, saw defensive playing time in seven games – including wins over rival Michigan and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game – and was a starter on special teams in all 14 contests.

Honors & Awards
2020: Honorable mention All-Big Ten

More on Marcus
• Was a consensus three-star prospect out of New Castle High School
• Is the younger brother of former Buckeye and current Indianapolis Colt Malik Hooker, a 2016 unanimous All-American for the Scarlet and Gray and a first-round NFL Draft choice
• Coached by Joe Cowart at New Castle
• On offense, played running back, wide receiver and quarterback throughout his career
• Was a cornerback, safety and linebacker on defense
• Scored 17 touchdowns as a junior, helping the Red Hurricanes reach the WPIAL Class 4A final, and had over 1,100 yards rushing as a senior
• 44 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack during his junior season
• New Castle News Player of the Week following his 262-yard effort on 40 carries in a 48-47 double OT win over Northwest during his senior season
• Also a standout basketball player for New Castle who scored over 1,000 career points
• Mother is Angela Dennis

PLAYER PROFILE COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS