Michigan State assistant Courtney Hawkins is eager to see Jayden Reed selected in NFL Draft

East Lansing, Mich. – With the NFL Draft just weeks away, beginning on April 27, it is almost certain that Michigan State star Jayden Reed will be part of the Draft Class of 2023. When Reed hears his name called, he’ll be the second Michigan State receiver drafted in the past two seasons, joining Jalen Nailor, who made a splash toward the end of his rookie season in Minnesota.

Should Reed be selected in the NFL Draft, he’d be the latest in a long line of Michigan State receivers to have that honor. Current Michigan State wider receivers coach Courtney Hawkins is among the numerous Spartan football alumni to have heard their name called in the NFL Draft.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Hawkins was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. Hawkins went on to play nine seasons in the NFL, finishing his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after playing several seasons with the Buccaneers.

Hawkins is not surprised by the success that Reed had during his time at Michigan State, and he expects his former player to have a successful NFL career. Hawkins touts Reed’s mental and physical toughness among the characteristics that will lend themselves to success at the next level.

In three seasons at Michigan State, Reed totaled 147 receptions, 2,069 receiving yards, and 18 touchdown grabs. He ranks sixth all-time at Michigan State in career receptions and seventh in career receiving touchdowns.

Hawkins was also not the least bit surprised by Reed’s strong performance at the NFL Combine. Nor did it come as a surprise to Hawkins that Reed was the among the top performers at his position at the Reese’s Senior Bowl prior to the NFL Combine.

“With everything that has happened to him, I was not surprised,” Hawkins said. “He’s special, man.”

Hawkins, like most NFL Draft experts, expects Reed to be selected in the upcoming draft later this month. He also believes that there are other Michigan State receivers currently in the program that will follow in the footsteps of himself, Nailor, and the dozens of other former Spartan players that have heard their names called in the NFL Draft.

Hawkins is grateful for the role he has played in helping to develop wide receivers with NFL potential in his role as a position coach on Mel Tucker’s staff at Michigan State.

“There are some other guys in that room that are going to go down that same path,” said Hawkins of the draft potential in the Michigan State receiver room at present. “For those guys to grow underneath me makes me proud. I see myself as a servant leader for them. I am here to make sure that they have the opportunity to reach their goals and dreams. On Draft Day, I’ll be cooped up somewhere, probably some hotel, looking at the Draft and smiling from ear to ear. I’ll hit him up and tell him how proud of him that I am. I am super proud of the guys that get an opportunity to play on Sunday.”

Junior wide receiver Keon Coleman is the most likely of Michigan State’s current receivers to hear their name called in the NFL Draft. Coleman led Michigan State in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns as a sophomore. Tre Mosley is another Michigan State receiver that could put himself in a position for a career playing professional football with a strong senior season.

Both Coleman and Mosley have set the standard in the Michigan State receiving room this spring with their work ethic and leadership.

“They come to work every day,” Hawkins said. “Montorie (Foster) every day too. They are the first guys in the line, some of the first guys in the meeting room. They are the guys helping the young guys. We have a player-led room, and we always talk about having a player-led team. My guys are doing a really good job.”