Ty'Ron Hopper Reflects on 2023 Season, Shares Excitement for the Future at NFL Scouting Combine
INDIANAPOLIS — There are many football players who, in a literal sense, lived up to their given names.
Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown played for the Cleveland Browns, four-time Pro Bowl running back Ahman Green played most of his career for the Green Bay Packers, and current Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed ran a 4.6 40-yard dash in 2019.
Ty'Ron Hopper is also a part of this niche club, as the former Missouri Tiger was certainly a hopper throughout his collegiate career.
Off the field, Hopper's collegiate journey experienced some twists and turns. After redshirting in his first year at Florida, Hopper became an integral part of the Gators defense by year three. However, that offseason, Hopper decided to hit the transfer portal and ended up at Missouri, where he spent his last two seasons.
On the field, Hopper's performances over the past two seasons vaulted him into future NFL Draft pick status. Under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Blake Baker and linebackers coach DJ Smith, the Shelby, N.C. native was constantly flying around the field as Missouri's primary WILL linebacker.
"I love that staff. Coach Drink, coach Baker, coach Smith, my linebacker coach, they definitely was able to make me a way better player," Hopper said. "I feel like they molded me into the player and to the man that I am today. They helped me grow a lot."
Part of that growth was spearheaded by Baker, who helped maximize Hopper's talents by sending the ultra-athletic linebacker all across the field. Hopper's elite sideline-to-sideline range has been put on fully display since 2022.
"I feel like he put me in the best position to show everything that I could do as a player," Hopper said. "My athleticism, being able to blitz, cover and drop in different zones. I feel like his defense really helped me get here."
While of Hopper's comments on Wednesday regarded himself, a lot of it also touched on this past season for Missouri football. He was a huge part of the defense's success, ending the season as a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding linebacker.
Despite missing the last three games with an ankle injury, Hopper was still extremely happy with the 2023 campaign, especially Missouri's win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl that saw the Tigers hold the Buckeyes to just three points.
"It was tough not be able to be a part of that experience, but I'm happy for my team," Hopper said. "They went out and got the job done, and I was able to leave Missouri better than I found it. I'm proud of that, and I'm proud of them."
Not only was he pleased with this season's results, but the amount of Tigers that are set to play at the next level. There are eight players from Missouri at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, the most the program has ever had.
"That just shows you that Mizzou is back. I feel like Mizzou don't get a lot of respect in the SEC," Hopper said. It shows you the steps that Mizzou has taken to become a really dominant program in the SEC."
As a prospect, Hopper still has plenty of areas where he can become better. At the podium on Wednesday, he mentioned wanting to improve his eye discipline as well as his tackling angles. Where that development will happen? Hopper didn't seem to care.
"I just want to go as high as I can go to the team that wants me the most," Hopper said. "It don't matter where I go. They gonna get everything out of me. They gon' get my best, no matter where I go."
