{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jerald Hawkins | image = WAS at PIT Photo 101 (50696372197).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Hawkins with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 | current_team = | number = | position = Offensive tackle | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|16}} | birth_place = Baldwin, Louisiana, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 6 | weight_lbs = 305 | high_school = West St. Mary {{nowrap|(Baldwin)}} | college = LSU | draftyear = 2016 | draftround = 4 | draftpick = 123 | pastteams = * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2016|2018}}) * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2019}}) * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}}) * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2021}})* * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2021}})* * Saskatchewan Roughriders ({{CFL Year|2023}}–{{CFL Year|2024}}) | status = | cflstatus = American | highlights = | statseason = | statweek = | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 19 | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = 1 | pfr = HawkJe00 }}
'''Jerald Lee Hawkins''' (born October 16, 1993) is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football at Louisiana State University, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and been a member of the Houston Texans, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
==Early life== Hawkins attended West St. Mary High School in Baldwin, Louisiana. He played both offensive and defensive tackle. He committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) to play college football.
==College career== Hawkins was a three-year starter at offensive tackle for LSU from 2013 to 2015. He started at right tackle his first two years before switching to left for his junior year.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/08/position_switches_for_vadal_al.html Position switches for Vadal Alexander, Jerald Hawkins strengthen tackle posts]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160122043351/http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/14400349-128/sources-lt-jerald-hawkins-is-most-likely-lsu-player-to-leave-early Sources: LT Jerald Hawkins is most likely LSU player to leave early]</ref> After his junior year he entered the 2016 NFL draft.<ref>[http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2016/01/06/lsus-jerald-hawkins-declares-nfl-draft/78383876/ LSU's Jerald Hawkins declares for NFL Draft]</ref><ref>[http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2016/01/lsu_ot_jerald_hawkins_declares.html LSU junior OT Jerald Hawkins declares for NFL Draft]</ref>
==Professional career== ===Pre-draft=== Entering the 2016 NFL draft, Hawkins was projected by the majority of NFL analysts and scouts to be a second or third round pick. He received the invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all the required combine drills and positional drills. On March 14, 2016, he participated at LSU's pro day and chose to only perform the three-cone drill and positional drills for team representatives and scouts. He was ranked the ninth best offensive tackle prospect available in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123385&draftyear=2016&genpos=ot| title=*Jerald Hawkins, DS No. 9 OT, LSU| access-date=October 9, 2017| website=nfldraftscout.com| archive-date=October 11, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011073211/https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=123385&draftyear=2016&genpos=ot| url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 5 5/8 | weight = 305 | dash = 5.23 | ten split = 1.92 | twenty split = 3.09 | shuttle = 4.89 | cone drill = 8.04 | vertical = 23.5 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 4 | bench = 23 | arm span = 34 1/4 | hand span = 9 5/8 | note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/jerald-hawkins?id=2555420 |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Jerald Hawkins |publisher=National Football League |access-date=February 24, 2025 |archive-date=October 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013123337/https://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/jerald-hawkins?id=2555420 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jerald-hawkins/32004841-5742-6651-6065-1a9743a088ec |title=Jerald Hawkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=123385&DraftYear=2016 |title=Jerald Hawkins College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=February 23, 2025}}</ref> }}
===Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)=== Hawkins was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers select Hawkins in the fourth round|url=http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-select-Hawkins-in-the-fourth-round/780f4033-ea74-4221-bb24-4b78f83bc68b|website=Steelers.com|date=April 30, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2017}}</ref> On June 2, 2016, Hawkins signed a four-year, $2.87 million contract with a signing bonus of $530,488.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2016/06/08/salary-cap-numbers-for-jerald-hawkins-rookie-steelers-contract/|title=Salary cap numbers for Jerald Hawkin's rookie contract|access-date=November 12, 2016|website=USAToday.com|author=Chester, Simon A.|date=June 8, 2016}}</ref> On August 28, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve by the Steelers after suffering a shoulder injury during a joint practice with the Detroit Lions.<ref>[http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/08/steelers-begin-roster-cuts-place-rookie-t-jerald-hawkins-ir/ Steelers Begin Roster Cuts; Place Rookie T Jerald Hawkins On IR]</ref>
He entered training camp in {{NFL Year|2017}} competing for a backup offensive tackle position with Matt Feiler, Chris Hubbard, and Keavon Milton. Hawkins was named the backup left tackle behind Alejandro Villanueva to begin the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthchart?team=PIT| title=NFL.com: Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart| access-date=October 9, 2017| website=nfl.com}}</ref>
On November 26, 2017, Hawkins made his professional debut against the Green Bay Packers.
On May 30, 2018, Hawkins suffered a torn quad during organized team activities.<ref>{{cite web|title=Source: Steelers OL Jerald Hawkins tears quad, could go to IR list|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23653742/pittsburgh-steelers-offensive-tackle-jerald-hawkins-tears-quadriceps|author=Fowler, Jeremy|website=ESPN.com|date=May 30, 2018}}</ref> He was officially placed on injured reserve on June 5, 2018, ruling him out for the 2018 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers sign two; place two on IR|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-two-place-two-on-ir|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=June 5, 2018}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== On August 31, 2019, Hawkins was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers along with the Steelers' seventh round pick in the 2021 NFL draft in exchange for the Buccaneers' sixth round pick in the 2021 draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bucs Trade for Steelers' T Jerald Hawkins|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-trade-for-steelers-tackle-jerald-hawkins-roster-move-deadline|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=August 31, 2019}}</ref>
===Houston Texans=== On August 10, 2020, Hawkins was signed by the Houston Texans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texans sign tackle Jerald Hawkins|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/10/texans-sign-tackle-jerald-hawkins/|author=Gantt, Darin|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=August 10, 2020}}</ref> He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transactions: Roster Moves (9-5-2020)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-roster-moves-9-5-2020|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=September 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Texans Announce Roster Moves (9-7-2020)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-announce-roster-moves-x3423|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=September 7, 2020}}</ref>
===Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)=== On September 16, 2020, Hawkins was signed away from the Texans' practice squad by the Pittsburgh Steelers after Pittsburgh's starting right tackle Zach Banner suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steelers bring back Hawkins|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-bring-back-hawkins|website=Steelers.com|date=September 16, 2020}}</ref> Hawkins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Steelers on November 10, 2020,<ref>{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers place four more on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-place-four-more-on-reserve-covid-19-list |website=Steelers.com |date=November 10, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> and activated on November 14.<ref>{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers activate four from Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-activate-four-from-reserve-covid-19-list |website=Steelers.com |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> He was placed back on the COVID-19 list on November 27,<ref>{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers place three on Reserve/COVID-19 List |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-place-three-on-reserve-covid-19-list |website=Steelers.com |date=November 27, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref> and activated on December 7.<ref>{{cite news |author=Varley, Teresa |title=Steelers make multiple roster moves |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-multiple-roster-moves-x1942 |website=Steelers.com |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2021}}</ref>
===New England Patriots=== On July 30, 2021, Hawkins signed with the New England Patriots.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Sign OL Jerald Hawkins|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-ol-jerald-hawkins|website=Patriots.com|date=July 30, 2021}}</ref> He was released on August 16.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Release OL Jerald Hawkins|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-ol-jerald-hawkins|website=Patriots.com|date=August 16, 2021}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints=== On December 8, 2021, Hawkins was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints sign a pair of free agent offensive linemen to the practice squad|url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/saints-roster-moves-practice-squad-james-carpenter-seahawks-news/|work=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=December 9, 2021}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 11, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saints sign eight players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-roster|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=January 11, 2022}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on August 6, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x0234|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> He was released on August 24.
=== Saskatchewan Roughriders === On December 8, 2022, Hawkins signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-08 |title=Riders Sign LSU Standout Offensive Tackle Jerald Hawkins |url=https://www.riderville.com/2022/12/08/riders-sign-lsu-standout-offensive-tackle-jerald-hawkins/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Saskatchewan Roughriders |language=en}}</ref> He started one game for the Roughriders in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/jerald-hawkins-hawkije01/&prefix=&sId=5300160&dId=4237763690&pId=32215 | title=Jerald Hawkins | publisher=Footballdb.com | accessdate=15 August 2024}}</ref> He was placed on the reserve/suspended list on May 12, 2024,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/jerald-hawkins-hawkije01/transactions | title=Jerald Hawkins | publisher=Footballdb.com | accessdate=15 August 2024}}</ref> and remained there until February 11, 2025, when he became a free agent at the end of his CFL contract.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150811103025/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205372112 LSU Tigers bio] *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Steelers2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkins, Jerald}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Louisiana Category:American football offensive tackles Category:LSU Tigers football players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:People from Baldwin, Louisiana Category:Sportspeople from St. Mary Parish, Louisiana Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Category:Houston Texans players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:New England Patriots players Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players Category:Canadian football offensive linemen Category:Players of Canadian football from Louisiana