NASHVILLE – The Titans selected Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, and he's ready to get to work.
"(The Titans) are getting a playmaker, a baller, a student of the game and a guy you don't have to worry about off the field," Hooker said after being picked. "I am going to come into work every day, no complaining. It's a business now and I am ready to take it on and win some championships and some Super Bowls."
Hooker (6-0, 200), who played at safety and nickel for the Hawkeyes, was taken with the 116th overall pick after the team traded up to get him. The Titans traded picks 121 and 157 to the Jets for picks 116 and 168.
Hooker was named Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year in the Big Ten, and he was a second-team All-America by the Associated Press and USA Today.
Hooker shared the team lead in interceptions (4) and pass break-ups (7) while ranking second in tackles (65) in 2018. In 2017, Hooker recorded 56 tackles and also had two interceptions and one touchdown return, along with two pass break-ups.
"He's a versatile defensive back who has played nickel, he's played off the hash, he's played down in the box, he's played in the kicking game," Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said. "He was set to return punts for them this year, so we'll put him back there and see what that's like."
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he envisions starting Hooker out at safety "and watch him develop."
"He was very versatile for Iowa," Vrabel said. "He played a lot of different places. This is a guy who can probably do a lot, but we don't want to give him more that he can handle. We're just excited to get him working."
Hooker made a pre-draft visit to the Titans, and spent time with defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs, among others. He said he's looking forward to working alongside safety Kevin Byard and the rest of the Titans, and is willing to play wherever the team needs him.
"Kevin Byard is a dog. Two years ago he led the league in interceptions, and every time I turned on ESPN, there he is making a play," Hooker said. "They are a great defense. They run a similar defense that we ran at Iowa, so it shouldn't be too tough of a transition for me to understand what is going on."
Hooker said he enjoyed his time in Nashville during his visit, and likes the vibe in the city and around the team.
"It's a great franchise, a class-act franchise," Hooker said. "Top-notch coaches and top-notch competition as well. I know we are going to win some games this year, and I am very excited. The coaching staff is trying to build a culture around there, and hopefully I'm a guy who can come in and help that out."
The Tennessee Titans select Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photos: AP, Iowa)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, left, breaks up a pass intended for Iowa State tight end Chase Allen, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 13-3. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Illinois running back Reggie Corbin (2) is tackled by Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Indiana wide receiver Luke Timian (25) runs away from the defense of Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Iowa won 42-16. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Iowa's Amani Hooker during the first half of a college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa defensive backs Matt Hankins, left, and Amani Hooker, right, dislodge the ball from Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor, center, resulting in an incomplete pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, center, tackles Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, right, celebrates with teammate Chauncey Golston after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northern Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker intercepts a pass intended for Illinois wide receiver Malik Turner, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) in the second half of an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Purdue won 38-36. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) breaks up a pass intended for Northwestern wide receiver Riley Lees, rear, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Northwestern won 14-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa strong safety Amani Hooker (27) defends Boston College running back AJ Dillon (2) who runs through traffic toward the end zone on a 39 yard run after hauling in a pass from Boston College quarterback Darius Wade during second quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) is sacked by Iowa's Amani Hooker, left, and Jack Hockaday, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) runs with the ball after intercepting it while playing Purdue in the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker, center, tackles Iowa State running back David Montgomery, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Iowa City, Iowa. Last season gave Iowa State hope that its decades of irrelevance might soon be over. This season has been a painful reminder that the path to national relevance isn’t always linear. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, File)
Penn State's KJ Hamler (1) runs out of bounds after a catch as Iowa's Amani Hooker (27) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Michigan State tight end Matt Sokol (81) is upended after a catch by Iowa's Amani Hooker, bottom, and Ben Niemann (44) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 17-10. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) is tackled by Illinois linebacker Dele Harding (9) during a fake punt in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
A pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Brandon Polk (10) is broken up by Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) and defensive back Michael Ojemudia, left, break up pass intended for North Texas wide receiver Jalen Guyton, center, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) celebrates with teammate Michael Ojemudia (11) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Minnesota running back Rodney Smith (1) is brought down by Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker (27) and linebacker Jack Hockaday (48) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) against the Northern Illinois Huskies Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) and linebacker Amani Jones (52) against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2019 Outback Bowl Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium. (Max Allen/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) intercepts a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) against the Iowa State Cyclones Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) celebrates with Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Djimon Colbert (32) after Colbert's tackle for loss during a game against Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium on September 8, 2018. (Tork Mason/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) intercepts a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. (Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Amani Hooker (27) against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the 2019 Outback Bowl Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Raymond James Stadium. (Max Allen/hawkeyesports.com)
