Jaylinn Hawkins
refer to caption
Hawkins in 2022
No. 37 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 26)
Panama City, Panama
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:208 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High school:Buena Park
(Buena Park, California)
College:California (2015–2019)
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 4 / Pick: 134
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:135
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:10
Interceptions:4
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jaylinn Hawkins (born August 25, 1997) is an American football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at California and selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

College career

Hawkins attended Buena Park High School, where he was a four star recruit, and graduated in 2015. He played college football at California and redshirted his first year.

In the 2016 season, Hawkins played snaps in all 12 games and started three games at safety. He was also recognized as a scholar-athlete of the week. His uncle, Jeremiah Hawkins, joined the Bears as a freshman wide receiver this season.[1]

In 2017, Hawkins started 11 of the team's 12 games and played snaps in all 12.

In 2018, Hawkins started 12 of the team's 13 games and played snaps in all 13. He led the Pac-12 with 6 interceptions. When targeted, he held the lowest passer rating (1.7) amongst Pac-12 safeties. At the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, Hawkins had three interceptions, the most in any bowl game that year. Hawkins was named Defensive MVP of the game despite Cal's loss to TCU.

Prior to the 2019 season, Hawkins was named a preseason 2nd team All-Pac-12 player. He started and played in all 13 games. During a game against Stanford, Hawkins made a one-handed interception that made the SportsCenter Top 10.[2]

In his overall college career, Jaylinn Hawkins recorded 156 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 10 interceptions and three forced fumbles and returned nine kicks for 129 yards. He graduated with a degree in American studies.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+5⁄8 in
(1.84 m) 		208 lb
(94 kg) 		31+3⁄4 in
(0.81 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 35.5 in
(0.90 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
All values from NFL Combine[3][4][5]

Atlanta Falcons

Hawkins was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 134th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.[6] His collegiate partner at safety, Ashtyn Davis, was taken in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 68th overall pick by the New York Jets.[7] Hawkins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Falcons on July 28, 2020,[8] and was activated eight days later.[9]

Hawkins scored his first professional touchdown in Week 6 of the 2022 season against the San Francisco 49ers when he recovered a fumble in the end zone.[10] He also recorded an interception in the same game.

The Falcons waived Hawkins on October 17, 2023.[11][12]

Los Angeles Chargers

On October 18, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers claimed Hawkins off waivers.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Cal Bears Football Roster - Jaylinn Hawkins".
  2. ^ Conway, Kelsey (April 25, 2020). "Jaylinn Hawkins' eye-popping interception shows glimpse of what he could be for Falcons". Atlanta Falcons.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "Jaylinn Hawkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "2020 Draft Scout Jaylinn Hawkins, California NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Atlanta Falcons select California safety Jaylinn Hawkins with No. 134 pick in the 2020 draft". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Faraudo, Jeff (April 25, 2020). "Cal Football: Shocker -- Jaylinn Hawkins Taken in Fourth Round by Falcons". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  7. ^ Costello, Brian (April 24, 2020). "Jets select Ashtyn Davis with No. 68 pick in NFL Draft". New York Post. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  8. ^ McFadden, Will (July 28, 2020). "Falcons place rookie Jaylinn Hawkins on reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  9. ^ McFadden, Will (August 5, 2020). "Falcons activate three players from reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  10. ^ "Falcons score on a fumble recovery of a fumble recovery". ESPN. October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Urben, Matt (October 17, 2023). "Falcons free up $1.7M in cap space by cutting Jaylinn Hawkins". USAToday.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Waack, Terrin (October 18, 2023). "Falcons release defensive back, sign another from practice squad before Week 7 game with Bucs". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Chargers Communications (October 18, 2023). "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Safety Jaylinn Hawkins". Chargers.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jaylinn Hawkins.
Atlanta Falcons 2020 NFL Draft selections
Los Angeles Chargers roster
Categories