Ryan Day on his decision to reinstate Marcus Hooker

Ryan Day spoke to media Monday on his decision to reinstate Marcus Hooker after the safety was cited by the Columbus Police Department for Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated in March.

The incident was Hooker’s second citation for driving while impaired since 2018. Day told Lettermen Row in a media availability Monday why Hooker was reinstated.

“He obviously made a really bad mistake,” Day said. “When you recruit young men and their families and you say you’re going to bring them in and take care of them then when they go through tough times you have to work through that.”

Day did add that Marcus Hooker is now on a no-tolerance policy moving forward.

“He went through everything he needed to go through to pay his penance in that area,” Day said. “And he obviously understands what he’s done and we’ve given him this opportunity to prove to everybody that he can move forward and change somebody else’s life after what he went through.

“I think that’s a big part of coaching football, is giving these guys an opportunity to learn and grow but certainly he is in a no-tolerance policy moving forward.”

Hooker was reinstated over the summer, and Day announced his return at Big Ten Media Day. He missed spring practice while suspended but returned to the program for summer workouts.

Marcus Hooker was previously arrested in 2018 and charged with a DUI in his home state of Pennsylvania before beginning his career at Ohio State.

The younger brother of former first-round NFL Draft pick Malik Hooker, the younger Hooker joined the Buckeyes in 2018 as a three-star prospect with high expectations.

In 11 career games, Hooker has 23 total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He started four games in the 2020 season, but failed to hold on to the job and eventually got passed up on the depth chart.

Looking to this season, Marcus Hooker is competing for playing time, potentially even as a starter. The opportunity was open in spring for Hooker to win the starting job, but the OVI and the suspension following eliminated the possibility. Now, Hooker is looking to provide key depth as an experienced fourth-year defensive back for an Ohio State team that has national championship expectations.