Jaylinn Hawkins Bio
Jaylinn Hawkins is a Panamanian-American professional football safety for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed into one of the top defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hawkins has also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Patriots in 2024. He is recognized for his ball-hawking instincts, with a college career highlighted by 10 interceptions and a memorable performance at the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl.
Early Life and Background
Jaylinn Hawkins was born on August 25, 1997, in Buena Park, California, USA. He grew up in Southern California and attended Buena Park High School, where he graduated in 2015. A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Hawkins drew attention from college scouts for his size, speed, and playmaking ability in the secondary.
During his time at Buena Park High School, Hawkins developed the foundational skills that would later define his professional career, including field awareness, tackling form, and the ability to read opposing quarterbacks. His strong high school performance earned him a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he would go on to make a significant impact on the Golden Bears defense.
Path to American Football
Hawkins began his college career at the University of California, Berkeley, where he redshirted his first year with the California Golden Bears in 2015. In the 2016 season, he played snaps in all 12 games and started three games at safety, also earning recognition as a scholar-athlete of the week. His rapid development signaled a promising future in the defensive backfield.
In 2017, Hawkins started 11 of the team’s 12 games and continued to build his reputation as a reliable safety. His cousin, Jeremiah Hawkins, joined the Bears as a freshman wide receiver during the same season, creating a family connection within the program. By his junior year, Hawkins had firmly established himself as a starter and a leader on the Cal defense, setting the stage for a breakout 2018 campaign that would catch the attention of NFL scouts.
Jaylinn Hawkins Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
The 2018 season marked Hawkins’s emergence as one of the premier safeties in college football. He started 12 of the team’s 13 games and led the Pac-12 Conference with 6 interceptions. When targeted by opposing quarterbacks, he held the lowest passer rating among Pac-12 safeties, allowing a microscopic 1.7 rating. At the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, Hawkins recorded three interceptions, the most in any bowl game that year, and was named Defensive MVP of the game despite California’s loss to TCU.
Prior to the 2019 season, Hawkins was named a preseason second-team All-Pac-12 player. He started and played in all 13 games, and during a contest against Stanford, he made a one-handed interception that earned a spot on the SportsCenter Top 10. Over his entire college career, Hawkins tallied 156 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 10 interceptions, and three forced fumbles, while also returning nine kicks for 129 yards. He graduated with a degree in American studies.
Atlanta Falcons (2020-2023)
Jaylinn Hawkins was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 134th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons. His collegiate partner at safety, Ashtyn Davis, was taken in the third round by the New York Jets. Hawkins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Falcons on July 28, 2020, but was activated eight days later. He spent his first three NFL seasons in Atlanta, working to develop his role within the Falcons defense.
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. He also recorded an interception in the same game, showcasing the playmaking ability that had defined his college career. The Falcons waived Hawkins on October 17, 2023, ending his tenure with the team.
Los Angeles Chargers (2023)
On October 18, 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers claimed Jaylinn Hawkins off waivers, giving him a brief opportunity to continue his career on the West Coast. His time with the Chargers was short, as he joined the team late in the 2023 season.
New England Patriots (2024-Present)
On March 21, 2024, Jaylinn Hawkins signed with the New England Patriots, marking a fresh start in the AFC East. During the 2024 season, he played in all 17 games with seven starts, recording 48 tackles and one pass deflection. His durability and consistency made him a steady presence in the Patriots secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jaylinn Hawkins stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 207 pounds, giving him an ideal frame for the safety position in the NFL. His strengths include strong ball skills, the ability to read quarterbacks, and reliable open-field tackling. His college track record of 10 interceptions reflects a defensive back with sharp instincts and a nose for the football, traits that continue to serve him in his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jaylinn Hawkins’s career came at the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl, where he recorded three interceptions and was named Defensive MVP. His one-handed interception against Stanford later earned national recognition on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. In the NFL, he scored his first professional touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, recovering a fumble in the end zone while also adding an interception in the same game.
Jaylinn Hawkins Career Stats
Across his professional career, Jaylinn Hawkins has played for three NFL franchises, beginning with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 and continuing with the New England Patriots after brief stints with the Los Angeles Chargers. In the 2024 season with the Patriots, he appeared in all 17 games and recorded 48 tackles along with one pass deflection, demonstrating his durability and value to the team.
NFL Highlights
During his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Hawkins developed into a rotational safety, highlighted by his first career touchdown in 2022 against the San Francisco 49ers. After being waived by the Falcons in October 2023, he was quickly claimed by the Los Angeles Chargers before signing with the New England Patriots in March 2024, where he played all 17 games in his first season.
Other Performances
At the collegiate level, Jaylinn Hawkins was a standout performer for the California Golden Bears, leading the Pac-12 with 6 interceptions in 2018 and earning Defensive MVP honors at the Cheez-It Bowl that same year. His career totals at Cal included 156 tackles, 10 interceptions, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles.
Jaylinn Hawkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jaylinn Hawkins comes from a family with athletic ties, as his cousin, Jeremiah Hawkins, played college football as a wide receiver for the California Golden Bears. The two were teammates during the 2017 season, sharing a connection both on and off the field. Hawkins was born in Buena Park, California, and raised in the same community where he attended high school.
Personal Life
Jaylinn Hawkins was born in Buena Park, California, to Panamanian-American heritage, giving him a dual cultural background that has shaped his identity. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in American studies, reflecting his academic interests beyond the football field. Public details about his personal relationships and family life remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Jaylinn Hawkins enters the 2025 NFL season as a member of the New England Patriots, following a 2024 campaign in which he played all 17 games and recorded 48 tackles. His durability and starting experience position him as a key contributor in the Patriots secondary heading into the new year. The team will look to Hawkins to build on his consistent production and provide veteran leadership in the defensive backfield.
After spending the 2024 season establishing himself within the Patriots system, Hawkins is expected to take on a more prominent role in 2025. His track record of tackling, coverage, and ball-hawking skills makes him a versatile asset for the New England defense. The Patriots coaching staff is likely to count on him as a steady presence in both base defense and passing situations.
Looking ahead, Jaylinn Hawkins has the opportunity to further solidify his role as a starting safety in the NFL. With his combination of size, instincts, and experience, he remains a player to watch as the Patriots continue to build their roster. His journey from a four-star recruit at Buena Park High School to an established NFL safety reflects years of hard work and dedication to the game.