Malik Hooker (born April 2, 1996) is an American professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. While at Ohio State, Hooker was named a unanimous All-American in 2016 and won the 2015 CFP national championship.

Hooker attended New Castle High School in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He played basketball and two years of football in high school as a cornerback and wide receiver. As a senior, he was the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Male Athlete of the Year. A 3-star safety recruit, Hooker committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes over offers from Arizona, Boston College, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others.

After redshirting his first year at Ohio State in 2014, Hooker played in all 13 games in 2015, recording 10 tackles playing mostly special teams. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he took over at free safety. During the first game of the season, he recorded his first two career interceptions. On November 29, 2016, Hooker was named first-team All-Big Ten. After the season, Hooker decided to forgo the remaining two years of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL draft. After his college career, it was revealed that Hooker underwent surgeries for a torn labrum in his hip and a sports hernia. As a result, Hooker could not participate in the combine.

"The ultimate lurker. His instincts are always bringing him to the football and when he gets there he has the ball skills to take it away. His lack of game experience and issues with tackle consistency will likely show themselves early in his career, but his ability to flip the field is worthy of an aggressive projection. He has the talent to be a high-impact starter for years in the NFL."

In February 2017, Hooker went through two surgeries to repair a hernia and a torn labrum. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine, but was unable to participate in any of the drills. 122 NFL scouts and representatives attended Ohio State's Pro Day as well as multiple head coaches, including Bill Belichick (New England Patriots), Todd Bowles (New York Jets), Jim Caldwell (Detroit Lions), John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens), Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns), Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals), Mike Mularkey (Tennessee Titans), Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints), and Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers). Hooker was projected to be a top 15 pick by NFL draft experts and analysts. He was ranked the top free safety in the draft by DraftScout.com and was ranked the second best safety in the draft, behind Jamal Adams, by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Pro Football Focus, NFL analyst Mike Mayock, and NFL analyst Bucky Brooks.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Hooker in the first round (15th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the second safety selected, behind LSU's Jamal Adams.

"At this point, Hooker would be a steal—flip him into Adams's spot at 6 or Peppers's at 10, and no one would bat an eye. The Colts' defense in general has to become faster, more athletic. Hooker checks both boxes as a ball–hawking threat at safety. A scary thought: For as great as he was this season, he played just 19 games at Ohio State. The best is yet to come."

"He'll fit in with Indianapolis beautifully. He's the best center fielder in this draft so far. ... The biggest concern is not the injuries, but the inconsistent tackling."