Ryan Day updates status of Marcus Hooker, eligibility of Palaie Gaoteote during B1G Media Days

Ryan Day covered a wide array of topics at B1G Media Days Friday, ranging from the ongoing quarterback battle to the important list of potential changes coming to college football.

Day also touched on two players the Buckeyes are hoping to have ready to go this fall. Those players are Marcus Hooker and incoming transfer Palaie Gaoteote IV.

According to Day, Hooker has been reinstated to the team and will be fully available for the season opener against Minnesota. Hooker had been suspended following an arrest in March.

Ryan Day confirmed that Marcus Hooker is back on the team and will be eligible to play in the season opener.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) July 23, 2021

In regards to Gaoteote, the situation is a bit more complex. Day indicated he is working out with Ohio State but paying his own way as he is not currently under scholarship. Ohio State is hoping to find out about Gaoteote’s eligibility in the next couple of weeks.

Some note from Ryan Day:

+ Palaie Gaoteote is with team but paying his own way as he sorts out an eligibility issue. Day said it could be a few weeks.

+ Marcus Hooker has been reinstated.

+ Kourt Williams and Cam Brown should be “full go” for the start of camp.

— Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) July 23, 2021

Hooker logged 15 tackles in five games played last season and added an interception, a fumble recovery, and two passes defended.

Gaoteote is expected to be a key linebacker piece for the Buckeyes. He logged 105 total tackles over 17 career games at USC.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.