Michigan State’s Courtney Hawkins ‘excited’ about Keon Coleman ahead of NFL Draft

East Lansing, Mich. – Of every Michigan State assistant over the past five seasons, wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins has enjoyed the most success when it comes to developing talent and putting players in the NFL.

Two Michigan State receivers have been selected in the last three drafts. The Green Bay Packers selected four-year Spartan Jayden Reed in the second round of the 2022 draft. The year before that, the Minnesota Vikings selected former Spartan Jalen Nailor in the sixth round of the draft.

Hawkins was instrumental in the success of both Reed and Nailor at the collegiate and professional levels. Of the two, Reed has enjoyed a particularly promising start to his career. He ranked among the top 50 NFL receivers in receptions (64) receiving yards (793) and receiving touchdowns (eight) as a rookie in 2023.

Hawkins made sure to follow Reed’s journey as often as he could last fall.

“It was great to watch him play, man,” Hawkins said. “To watch him starting off his rookie year into doing things…you feel like a proud dad. I watched him as much as I possibly could. We text back and forth, hop on the phone. It’s always great to watch guys who you feel like you’ve kind of poured your heart and soul into.”

Reed was initially projected as a late-round draft pick following an average 2022 season at Michigan State, which saw him play through injury for much of the year. Reed, however, earned an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl prior to the draft. After an impressive showing there, as well as Michigan State’s Pro Day and the NFL Combine, Reed jumped all the way to the second round on draft day.

Reed’s impressive performances at those events – particularly the Senior Bowl – came as no surprise to Hawkins.

“I told the scouts when he was going down to the Senior Bowl, I said, ‘He’s going down there and he’s going to destroy some guys,'” Hawkins said. “If I had my phone, I would show you some of the texts that I got from some of the guys who were watching. They were like, ‘Coach Hawk, you were right. He is down here putting on a show.'”

With the 2024 NFL Draft set to kick off on Thursday in Detroit, Hawkins now has his eyes on two other former Spartans. Keon Coleman spent his first two seasons in East Lansing before transferring to Florida State for the 2023 campaign. Coleman projects as a first or second round talent in this week’s draft.

“I’m excited about big No. 0,” Hawkins said of Coleman.

Despite Coleman’s decision to leave Michigan State, there is no love lost between the former Spartan and his one-time position coach. Coleman publicly expressed his appreciation for Hawkins following his departure to Florida State. He also returned to East Lansing in March for Michigan State basketball’s senior day game. Around that time, he stopped into Hawkins’ office to catch up.

“We sat for two hours,” Hawkins said, reflecting on the conversation. “We just talked the other day (too). You know, he made a business decision, but we have a relationship that’s bigger than this business of college football now. It’s so different. He took advantage of what he felt like was best for him.

“But he calls and asks, ‘Should I do this, should I do that’ through this process right now that he’s going through with the whole draft approaching and all of that. So we have a tremendous relationship, man. I’m one of his biggest fans. I’ll be sitting in front of the TV like, ‘They have to take my guy.’”

Hawkins’ streak of producing an NFL player will reach three straight drafts – in just four seasons of coaching – when Coleman is selected this week. But Hawkins will also watch to see if recently-graduated Michigan State receiver Tre Mosley will get an opportunity as well.

Mosley played five seasons at Michigan State, from 2019-2023. He finished with 28 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns in just eight games last season due to injury. Mosley participated in Michigan State’s Pro Day on March 13.

“I’m hoping that my man Tre – tremendous ball skills, great player,” Hawkins said. “I feel like he’s going to get an opportunity somewhere.”

With Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith opting to retain Hawkins this offseason, the wide receiever coach will look to continue to put players in the NFL for years to come. He knows what it takes to make it to that level, having played nine seasons in the league throughout the 1990s.

“You feel really good when guys are developed right here,” Hawkins said. “I know what it takes to pour into guys to get to that level, to get them ready to perform at that level. I’m super proud of those guys.”