so I swear that at first connecting my controller to a Hopper and a chest worked. But then when I moved it it would not accept anything from the hopper. I am wondering if this controller block is borked now due to some glitch

Can you insert items into the controller by hand (assuming you have said item already in a connected drawer)? Can't see any reason why a hopper wouldn't push into a controller. But if the controller can't see drawer slots, the inventory looks empty to the hopper.

So, I may need to Sneak place the hopper instead of just placing it. I will try this when I get a chance.

shift-clicking made the hopper connect. I am all good now, thank you for your quick response.

I tried placing the drawers adjacent, and even attaching them against the controller itself (where the back of the drawer is against the controller) and waited 5 seconds, but nothing has worked thus far. I can use the controller by itself a long as there is a locked or partially filled drawer for that item, atm, it just does not work with the hopper.