Hook, a popular Day 3 pick projection, took part in a handful of workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday.
Maxen Hook seeks to be the next Toledo Rockets defender to be selected in the NFL Draft after an extremely productive career in the Blue and Gold over the last four seasons as a starter in a stacked defensive backfield.
Hook finished his career with 356 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries each, 15 pass break-ups and seven interceptions. 2024 was his career-best season in solo tackles (61) and total tackles (107), while tying his career-high in passes defensed (four.)
Hook left Toledo as one of the MAC’s most decorated defenders, placing on the all-MAC team in all four seasons as a starter, earning third-team honors in 2021 before placing on the first-team roster from 2022-24.
The New Palestine, Indiana native had a lot to prove Friday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium, and did his best to improve his stock despite being limited.
Official Combine measurements:
- Height: six-foot-and-one-half inch
- Weight: 202 lbs.
- Arms: 31 and one-half inches
- Hands: 9 and one-eighth inches
- Wingspan: 75 and one-quarter inches*
* (denotes Senior Bowl measurements)
Official Combine workout numbers:
- 40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds (12th in position group)
- 10-yard dash: 1.55 seconds (12th)
- Vertical jump: 34.5 inches (10th)
- Broad jump: 10 feet, four inches (7th)
- Three-cone drill: N/A
- Shuttle drill: N/A
What did we see?
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see much of Maxen Hook in the on-field workouts, as he did not partake in the position drills.
Hook is still nursing an injury which kept him out of participating in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, and will hope to run more drills at Toledo’s upcoming Pro Day.
His other workouts were pretty impressive for a prospect considered to be a Day 3 selection, clocking in at 4.55 at the 40-yard dash with a 1.55 10-yard split (both considered good-to-elite numbers for safeties), while clocking in at a decent size for a pro safety. His vertical jump also crossed the “good” threshold for a safety.
Hook projects to be an immediate special teams contributor wherever he goes thanks to his football IQ and rangy style of play, and could be an intriguing hybrid linebacker at the next level or a free safety with some time to develop.
His four years of starting productivity will go a long way, but he’ll have to show he can maintain discipline in the open field if he wants to see more playing time.
At the very least, his athletic numbers indicate he has the size and speed to make it at the next level. Hopefully as the pre-draft and training camp processes matriculate, Hook is able to show off his natural abilities and give credence to his numbers.
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)