Jaylinn Hawkins
Current teamBaltimore Ravens
Number21
PositionSafety
Birth dateAugust 25, 1997 (age 29)
Birth placeBuena Park, California, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in1
Weight lb208
High schoolBuena Park
CollegeCalifornia (2015–2019)
Draftyear2020
Draftround4
Draftpick134
Pastteams
StatusActive
StatleagueNFL
Statseason2025
Statlabel 1Total tackles
Statvalue 1254
Statlabel 2Sacks
Statvalue 22.0
Statlabel 3Forced fumbles
Statvalue 32
Statlabel 4Fumble recoveries
Statvalue 43
Statlabel 5Pass deflections
Statvalue 517
Statlabel 6Interceptions
Statvalue 68
Statlabel 7Defensive touchdowns
Statvalue 71
PfrHawkJa00

Jaylinn Hawkins (born August 25, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early and personal life

Hawkins was born in Buena Park, California. He attended Orange Lutheran High School, as a freshman before transferring to Buena Park High School, where he was a four star recruit, and graduated in 2015. He committed to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley over offers from Utah, Washington, and Oregon.[1]

College career

Hawkins redshirted his first year with the California Golden Bears in 2015. 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 cousin, Jeremiah Hawkins, joined the Bears as a freshman wide receiver this season.[2]

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.[3]

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 from Berkeley with a degree in American studies.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

Hawkins was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft with the 134th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.[4] 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.[5] Hawkins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Falcons on July 28, 2020,[6] and was activated eight days later.[7]

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.[8] He also recorded an interception in the same game.

The Falcons waived Hawkins on October 17, 2023.[9][10]

Los Angeles Chargers

On October 18, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers claimed Hawkins off waivers.[11]

New England Patriots

On March 21, 2024, Hawkins signed with the New England Patriots.[12] He played in all 17 games with seven starts, recording 48 tackles and one pass deflection. Hawkins again played all 17 games in the 2025 season, recording 71 tackles and 4 interceptions.[13] On January 11, 2026, Hawkins made his playoff debut in a 16–3 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round.[13] Hawkins had five total tackles in Super Bowl LX, a 29–13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.[14]

Baltimore Ravens

On March 12, 2026, Hawkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a two-year, $10 million contract.[15]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2020ATL12213850.50000.000000000
2021ATL1442413110.012115.5110300000
2022ATL16168445390.002147.0140610101
2023ATL603210.00000.000000000
LAC10311470.00000.000100000
2024NE1774827210.03000.000100100
2025NE15157145261.53410.310610100
Career90472541441102.078263.31401720301

Postseason

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2025NE4415870.00000.000000000
Career4415870.00000.000000000

Personal life

Hawkins has Panamanian roots.[16] On March 23, 2025, Hawkins got married.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Jaylinn Hawkins Wide Receiver Recruiting Profile – ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  2. ^ "Cal Bears Football Roster – Jaylinn Hawkins"
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Faraudo, Jeff (April 25, 2020). "Cal Football: Shocker – Jaylinn Hawkins Taken in Fourth Round by Falcons". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  5. ^ Costello, Brian (April 24, 2020). "Jets select Ashtyn Davis with No. 68 pick in NFL Draft". New York Post. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. ^ McFadden, Will (July 28, 2020). "Falcons place rookie Jaylinn Hawkins on reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  7. ^ McFadden, Will (August 5, 2020). "Falcons activate three players from reserve/COVID-19 list". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Rothstein, Michael (October 16, 2022). "Falcons score on a fumble recovery of a fumble recovery". ESPN.com. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  9. ^ Urben, Matt (October 17, 2023). "Falcons free up $1.7M in cap space by cutting Jaylinn Hawkins". Falcons Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Chargers Communications (October 18, 2023). "Los Angeles Chargers Claim Safety Jaylinn Hawkins". Chargers.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  12. ^ "Patriots Re-sign WR Kendrick Bourne; Sign Unrestricted Free Agent S Jaylinn Hawkins". Patriots.com. March 21, 2024.
  13. ^ "Jaylinn Hawkins 2025 Stats per Game – NFL". ESPN. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  14. ^ "Super Bowl LX - Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots - February 8th, 2026". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  15. ^ Mink, Ryan. "Ravens Sign Veteran Safety Jaylinn Hawkins". BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  16. ^ Dussault, Mike (2025-11-27). "Jaylinn Hawkins Honors Global Football Roots with United Sports Abroad for My Cause My Cleats". New England Patriots. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  17. ^ Wax, Shelby (2025-05-08). "The Bride Wore a Cathedral-Length Veil and Her Grandmother’s Traditional Hawaiian Jewelry to Marry on Oahu". Vogue. Retrieved 2026-01-14.