Former Ohio State standout safety and 2015 National Championship Game MVP Tyvis Powell took the time to sit down with Scarlet and Game and offer advice to Marcus Hooker, talk about winning, uniforms, and life after OSU. See what he had to say below.
Q: Obviously last season’s defense had some phenomenal playmakers, especially in the secondary. Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, and Jordan Fuller are gone now, but Ohio State still has some great athletes, which secondary player has impressed you the most this season?
A: “I’d probably say Marcus Hooker. I think he has the ability to be a special player. He obviously is still young and has some stuff to clean up, but he has shown us glimpses of him having the ability to be a great safety.”
Q: Marcus Hooker is only a sophomore and has a great future ahead of him. Some struggles against IU, but what advice would you have for him moving forward?
A: “My advice for him moving forward is to learn from the IU game. There are plenty of teachable moments for him in that game. For example, when playing the post, read the QB’s upfield shoulder. It will never lie to you and it will not only tell you where he’s going but if it’s a deep or short pass as well. And when breaking, always break eyes before feet, meaning look to where you’re breaking to, take three hard steps before you look back for the ball. It will put you on the proper angle to make the play on the ball.”
Q: You were part of some great teams at Ohio State. The undefeated 2012 team during your redshirt freshman year, and of course the National Championship team in 2014. Do you see any similarities between this 2020 team and any of those teams?
A: “One major similarity I see is that the team is together through everything. There isn’t any finger-pointing. They all take responsibility and they all have each other’s back. You can tell that they truly love and care about each other.”
Q: Is there any one thing specifically that you can pinpoint that every championship team needs to have? Whether it be chemistry, a certain type of player, et cetera?
A: “Chemistry is always a key thing but I think it’s about the team refusing to lose. That mindset will always take you over the top. If everybody on the team Is willing to do whatever it takes to win, even if it means taking on a double team block all game just so somebody else can be free. Then that’s what you will do because everybody on the team is counting on you and you don’t want to let them down. You’re willing to put the big stats behind you because all you want to do is win.”
Q: Outside of winning defensive MVP in the National Championship, what was your favorite memory at Ohio State?
A: “My favorite memory at OSU is probably just playing with everybody that was there. I miss my pregame routines from getting up early with Vonn to study film one last time. Joshua and I handshake, D Lee and I doing the dolphin before every game. Gareon and I rolling on the ground before jumping in the air. We just truly had fun playing the game with each other. All our egos was to the side. And ultimately winning. I always knew we was going to win. It was almost guaranteed for us.”
Q: While it’s a hot topic, are you a fan of alternate uniforms?
A: “I like the all-white uniforms. I remember that’s when I made my first big play against TTUN when we wore the all-white alternate uniforms. So I’m expecting somebody to make a jaw-dropping play like I did. *cough cough Marcus Hooker*. Lol”
Q: What’s life been like after Ohio State for you?
A: “Life for me has been full of ups and downs. The NFL has had its good moments but a ton of bad moments for me. The game is still fun but the business side is brutal. It has taught me a lot of lessons though and I’ve met some of the coolest dudes in the world. Ones that I wouldn’t have imagined to be so cool. Outside of sports, I am enjoying the married and father life. It was something that I never thought I would do when I was younger but turns out it was one of the best things in the world.”
We thank Tyvis for taking the time to talk with us. Hopefully, Hooker can continue to learn how to be better safety just like Powell was.