27 days until kickoff - #27 Amani Hooker

[Blair Sanderson]

27 Amani Hooker
DB 6-0 203 Fr.
Minneapolis, MN Park Center

High School honors -- Conference MVP as a senior . . . earned first-team all-state honors as a senior and was finalist for “Mr. Football” . . . second-team all-state as a junior and third-team all-state as a sophomore . . . first-team all-conference for three straight seasons . . .Career -- Played defensive back, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver as a prep . . . set school record for interceptions in a season (11) . . . helped team post 9-3 record as a senior, while reaching state playoffs . . . team captain as a senior . . . also lettered in basketball.

Personal -- Born June 14, 1998… business major . . . parents are Janice Hooker and Ray Hooker… high school coach was Paul Strong.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

Here's the Q&A we did with Amani before he reported to campus in June.

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Ready to report: Amani Hooker
Blair Sanderson | Editor

Amani Hooker is making the move to Iowa City on June 12.
HawkeyeReport.com


In high school, Amani Hooker was a big playmaker on both sides of the ball. Now, the 6-foot-1, 212-pound Minnesota native will be bringing those talents to Iowa where he will be playing safety for the Hawkeyes. We caught up with Hooker, who will wear #27 at Iowa, to talk about his upcoming freshman year and much more.

Q: When do you make the move to Iowa City?

HOOKER: I will head to Iowa June 12th.

Q: What are you looking forward to in starting workouts with the team?

HOOKER: I can't wait to get to work in the weight room and learning formations and coverages. I also want to connect with the older guys there.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman year? Are you hoping to play or expecting to redshirt?

HOOKER: I want to impact the team as much as I can. I plan on giving 100% on and off the field and I am hoping to play right away.

Q: What will it mean to you to walk out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium for the first time?

HOOKER: It will mean a lot. It’s something I really look forward to.

Q: When you look back at everything, what was it about Iowa that made it the right place for you?

HOOKER: It was the coaching staff and the process they have to get guys to the next level.

As a senior, Hooker finished the season with 78 tackles and 11 interceptions on defense. On offense, he had 1,042 yards passing, 478 yards rushing, and 380 yards receiving, accounting for a total of 29 touchdowns for Park Center.

See highlights from Hooker's senior season in the video below.