STORY: Hawkeye Junior Amani Hooker Announces He’s Heading to NFL
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
Good for him. He's ready. There was nothing left for him to prove at this level. If he graded out in the second round...time to get paid. Thanks Amani...it was fun watching you develop and excel.
As you said in the other thread, this is a HUGE loss for Iowa but an expected one. He was the B1G DB of the year. Most guys who win that award are going to be heading to the pros unless they they are not 3 years removed from high school.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
I don't have an official tracker, but it seems to me like I have heard about 100 guys who have graded into the top 2 rounds. I think some of these kids are getting bad advice.
Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
If that's true, it echoes exactly what I've been saying, and fearing. 100 kids being told they are 2nd round projections is NOT the same as 100 getting picked by that round. Only room for 64, actually a lot less because of the seniors who will get drafted, too. And try to explain to any of those kids that they are not one of the 64. That's not how elite athletes think.
About 10-20 years ago, baseball became littered with players who made the jump from AA level straight major major leagues, totally skipping the AAA level. Organizations frequently put their best players in AA. AAA is for players who are on the verge but can't have their big league service clock begin, or it's a level for players who aren't quite Major league talent.
You may see the same in NCAA football very soon. Junior year is your year to make it happen. Those players will suffer fewer "free hits" on their bodies when they declare. Players who are still in college as seniors will be seen as players in the next tier down, and less valuable because they've absorbed another year of hits. The football equivalent of the AAA baseball player.
Think of how much a new car depreciates in value after one or two years because of the wear and tear and the mileage it accumulates. Football players may soon be viewed in the same manner.
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judzeehawk
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sticking around and playing in the Bowl game. Wish you nothing but the best Amani! You made some awesome memories!
iloveyoularrystation
Well-Known Member
Rob do you think this move expedites a move of OJ to safety?
proudhawkfan21
Well-Known Member
Nice work Amani. Impactful Hawkeye career. 2+ yrs of production at a high level. Someone will step up and step in but hate to see you go. The Hawks will be fine, no one is irreplaceable and in college football everyone must be replaceable. The shelf life of a Hawkeye is getting shorter by the year.
Good for him! Hate to see top talent go, but if there is one position I’ve learned not to worry about finding a replacement for its safety. Phil will get someone ready who will fill his shoes, or maybe even be better. Who saw hooker or Jackson at CB coming two years ago?
There is some freshman or recruit who will step up. I guarantee there is someone else on that roster who will be a draft pick waiting.
There is some freshman or recruit who will step up. I guarantee there is someone else on that roster who will be a draft pick waiting.
Good for Amani, I am not totally sure of the rules but he will go to his pro day workout, I think he needs to be invited to the combine, but as long as he doesnt sign a contract with an agent he would have the ability to change his mind.
He is a great player and will be missed. The hawks have two safety spots to fill now.
He is a great player and will be missed. The hawks have two safety spots to fill now.
RobHowe
Administrator
I think the coaches knew during bowl prep. They were practicing Ojemudia and DJ Johnson at the star during bowl prep.
There’s depth at DB but much of it is inexperienced. Finding a new free safety and somebody to play star will be paramount this spring and summer.
