The Indianapolis Colts were without their first-round draft pick Malik Hooker as they began rookie minicamp on Friday, but in the meantime, Hooker is doing what he can to make the most of his time while he continues to heal from surgery.

Hooker underwent multiple surgeries over the winter to repair a torn hip labrum and a sports hernia sustained late in the 2016 season while playing for Ohio State. It was expected he would miss rookie minicamp as well as OTAs as a result, but he's made solid progress in recovery and is on course to be back by training camp.

“I’m feeling great right now," Hooker said Friday, per Colts.com. "I’m still in the process of recovering from my injury, the surgery I had in January, but as of right now, I’m just taking it day by day. Just trying to get back to 100 percent healthy."

While his fellow rookies are out on the field this weekend, Hooker plans on keeping his nose in the playbook and learning the X's and O's he'll need to know this season.

"Just learning the playbook inside and out," Hooker said. "Right now, the playbook's got to be my best friend because obviously I'm not physically ready to go out there and get the game reps, so right now mental reps and studying the playbook, that's something I've got to get on."

Hooker won't have the advantage of going through minicamp and the rest of Colts offseason activities like the rest of his draft class, but he feels things will take care of themselves as long as he works hard on the mental aspect of the game.

"For me personally, I feel like you get out of it what you put in," Hooker said. "If I'm studying film day in and day out, then what is there to be nervous about because I feel like I'm gifted enough to go out there and make plays. It's just more so about putting the time in and studying the playbook. It's a great coaching staff here too, so I'm sure they're going to put everybody in a great situation to make plays as well."

For many rookies, the first day of rookie minicamp can feel like hitting a rewind button to the first day with their college teams. That's been the case for Hooker, although he's enjoying the fact he's not having to cope with the homesickness that came with his early time at Ohio State.

"It's definitely like going back to your freshman year," Hooker said. "You're learning the playbook all over again. You're getting to meet your coaches and different teammates, so it feels like freshman year all over again, but this time I'm not homesick. I'm actually enjoying it. I came in and a lot of great guys are giving me tips on the playbook and stuff like that, so I'm having a great time here."

Also helping Hooker is a familiarity factor brought by a few of his Colts teammates. Offensive lineman Jack Mewhort, outside linebacker John Simon and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins are all Ohio State products like Hooker, and they've been assisting him in the acclimation process.

"It definitely helps a lot," Hooker said. "I feel like I'm in Columbus all over again. I walk in there and see Big Hank in there laughing. I talked to them a little bit about the city of Indianapolis and being in this organization and a lot of great things were said. I'm glad to be a part of this organization and I can't wait to get out there and compete."

And even though he can't get on the field with his teammates just yet, the importance of the Friday isn't lost on Hooker. It's the start of his new career in the NFL and the realization of a dream he's been working towards for years.

"It’s definitely special for me," Hooker said. "Just to get out here and finally live a dream that I had since I was eight years old and experience it personally. It’s a great thing for me and my family right now."