Packers Host Athletic Linebacker on Predraft Visit

Ty'Ron Hopper was a two-year starter at Missouri who earned second-team honors on the all-SEC team in 2023.

Missouri Tigers linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper / Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers have their eye on a possible Day 3 inside linebacker prospect. The team recently hosted Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper on a predraft visit.

His visit was first reported by The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler. A source confirmed the visit to Packer Central that the visit has taken place. Moreover, general manager Brian Gutekunst was present at Missouri’s Pro Day on March 22.

Who is Ty’Ron Hopper?

At 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds., Hopper brings plenty of athleticism and quickness to the middle of the field. He was a two-year starter for the Tigers after beginning his career with the Florida Gators.

In 2022, he recorded 74 tackles, three sacks and one interception. A 2023 season with 55 tackles and three sacks made him a second-team all-SEC selection.

In the predraft process, Hopper’s athleticism didn’t show up in his testing. At pro day, his unofficial time for the 40-yard dash was 4.68 seconds. He ended up with a 7.42 Relative Athletic Score. 

He didn’t participate in agility drills at the Scouting Combine, presumably because of an ankle injury that he suffered late in the regular season. The injury kept him out of the final two games of the regular season, the Cotton Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

"It was tough not to be able to be a part of that experience, but I'm happy for my team," Hopper said at the Combine. "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."

The medical evaluations teams did at the Combine and during their individual visits will likely play a key part in determining where Hopper ends up getting drafted. If there’s any lingering effects from the ankle injury, his speed would likely be hindered.

Speed is essential to Hopper’s game. At his Combine media session, he recognized it as his biggest strength. It allows him to be a threat as a blitzer and also cover receivers over the middle of the field.

The area where Hopper wants to improve involves harnessing and controlling that speed. Knowing when to slow down and read an offense. He says that he needs to have better eye discipline and take more consistent angles on pursuits.

Where Does Ty’Ron Hopper Fit in Green Bay?

Hopper primarily played Will (weakside) linebacker at Missouri, which is where he best projects in the NFL. Considering the state of the Packers’ inside linebacker room, Hopper would likely be a contributor in his rookie season.

After releasing Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie and special teamer Eric Wilson are the only three rostered players to have experience playing the position with Green Bay. With a new system being implemented under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, it’s difficult to tell exactly how Walker and McDuffie will be used.

Walker mostly played the Will for Green Bay when Campbell was in the mix but might be asked to play the Mike (middle) due to his experience.

McDuffie, who played under Hafley at Boston College, filled in when Cambpell was injured last year, starting in eight games. The former sixth-round pick will likely, by necessity, be asked to take on a bigger role in 2024.

Long story short, it’s difficult to tell exactly where Hopper would fit in without a clear idea of how Hafley will utilize his linebackers. But Hopper could, at the very least, be a rotational player who contributes on special teams.

Ty’Ron Hopper’s Draft Projection

Hopper is expected to be a Day 3 pick; he was a fourth-round choice in Chad Reuter’s mock draft for NFL.com. He might not have been a game-changer at Missouri but his raw athletic traits are undeniable and give him the potential to be a valuable contributor.

The Packers will likely be keeping a close eye on their linebacker board throughout the draft. Whether or not they select an inside linebacker with one of their first five picks, each in the top 100 selections, will play a part in determining whether or not they end up selecting Hopper later on.

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