NFL CAREER – Saints signed Hawkins to the practice squad for the final month of the 2021 season and in three seasons has played in 19 games with one start as an extra blocker for Pittsburgh (2016-18, 2020) and Tampa Bay (2019). Hawkins was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of LSU.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed by the Saints to reserve/future contract, 1/11/21; Signed by Saints to practice squad, 12/8/21; Contract terminated by Patriots, 8/16/21; Signed by Patriots, 7/30/21; Signed by Pittsburgh from Houston practice squad, 9/16/20; Signed by Texans to practice squad, 9/6/20; Waived by Houston, 9/5/20; Signed by Houston, 8/10/20; Acquired by the Buccaneers from the Steelers in exchange for future considerations, 8/31/19; Placed on Injured Reserve by the Steelers (torn quadriceps), 6/4/18; Placed on Injured Reserve by the Steelers (shoulder), 8/28/16; Signed by the Steelers to a four-year contract, 6/2/16; Originally selected by the Steelers in the fourth round (123rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
2021 – Spent the last month of season on Saints practice squad after going to training camp with Patriots. 2020 – Played in 13 regular season games and one postseason contest for Steelers. 2019 – Played in one game for Tampa Bay as a reserve after being acquired by the Buccaneers from Steelers at end of preseason. 2018 – Missed season (torn quadriceps) after injuring knee in OTA's. 2017 – Played in five games with one start as an extra blocker. 2016 – Missed season (shoulder).
COLLEGE – Started all 37 games played at LSU (25 at right tackle and 12 at left tackle), from 2013-15…In 2015, a key member of the offensive line that paved the way for the SEC leading rushing offense (256.8 yards per game), and for LSU to generate a school bowl record 638 yards of total offense…In 2014, helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Leonard Fournette, and totaled 43 knockdowns…Won the right tackle job during fall camp in 2013, as he went on to start 13 games…Sports administration major.
PERSONAL – Attended West St. Mary HS (Baldwin, La.)…Helped West St. Mary reach postseason for first time in several years, finishing with a 6-5 record in 2011…Did not allow a sack as a senior in 2011 as he recorded over 20 pancake blocks…On defense as a senior, recorded 70 total tackles, 35.0 TFLs, six forced fumbles, one safety and s fumble recovery…Earned 2011 LSWA 2A All-State Honorable Mention honors for his play on both offense and defense…Also participated in basketball, baseball and track and field throughout high school career…Won the 2011 Louisiana 2A state title in shot put with a toss of 52-9 ½…Full name: Jerald Lee Hawkins
