BERKELEY – Jaylinn Hawkins became the second Cal player selected in the 2020 NFL Draft when he was chosen in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday with the 134th overall pick. Hawkins and fellow Cal safety Ashtyn Davis, who was taken Friday by the New York Jets in the third round (No. 68 overall), become the first two Cal safeties ever taken in the same NFL Draft.

The duo also becomes only third pair of Golden Bear defensive backs taken in the same NFL Draft with the others cornerbacks Steve Williams (San Diego Chargers, fifth round, No. 145 overall) and Marc Anthony (Baltimore Ravens, seventh round, No. 247 overall) in 2013, and safety Eric Zomalt (Philadelphia Eagles, third round, No. 143 overall) and cornerback Issac Booth (Cleveland Browns, fifth round, No. 141 overall).

Cal has had a total of 241 players selected in the NFL Draft including at least one in 32 of the last 34 years.

The 2020 NFL Draft is being televised live on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network and ESPN Deportes in a single multi-network presentation of all seven rounds. The three-day draft began with Thursday's opening round and after two more rounds on Friday is concluding with the final four rounds Saturday.

The draft is also serving as a three-day virtual fundraiser benefiting six charities that are battling the spread of COVID-19 and delivering relief to millions in need. In conjunction with the draft, the NFL is hosting a "Draft-A-Thon" that is being live streamed on NFL social and digital platforms and featured on the live televised coverage. Donations can be made online at NFL.com/RELIEF and there is also a text-to-donate option.

The draft was originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas but due to the COVID-19 pandemic is being conducted as a "virtual" draft from homes around the nation. The telecast is originating from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Conn., and adhering to proper social distancing guidelines and local workplace rules. Draft hosts and a limited number of commentators are in-studio, while a majority of analysts, reporters and other experts are contributing to the telecast remotely from their home studios including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who is announcing the draft picks from his home basement.

Extensive coverage of all former Cal football players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft and those that sign undrafted free agent contracts following the draft will be provided via the Cal Athletics social media outlets listed below and online at CalBears.com. Six former Cal players who completed their collegiate eligibility with the Golden Bears in 2019 – Traveon Beck, Davis, Jordan Duncan, Jaylinn Hawkins, Greg Thomas and Weaver – have professional football aspirations. Undrafted free agent signings will not be publicized by Cal Athletics prior to an official announcement from the NFL team.

Below are notes on Hawkins with an extended bio available by clicking on his name.
 
Jaylinn Hawkins, 6-2, 210, S, Buena Park, CA (Buena Park HS)
Cal (2016-19)

• One of three former Cal football student-athletes at the 2020 NFL Combine along with Ashtyn Davis and Evan Weaver, and put up measurable testing marks of 35.5 in the vertical jump and 117.0 in the broad jump (117.0)
• Played in 2020 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and had three tackles for National team that won 30-20 over American squad 
• The only Cal player to participate in all 50 games possible from 2016-19 after redshirting his first season at Cal in 2015, while also leading all Cal players during the period with 38 starts including each of his final 20 games in a row
• Contributed 158 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (-31 yards), 2.0 sacks (-6 yards), 10 interceptions that he returned 90 yards, seven pass breakups, 17 passes defended, three forced fumbles and nine kick returns for 129 yards over the last three-plus seasons
• Registered 10 career interceptions that ranks tied for eighth on Cal's all-time list with nine of those coming over his final two campaigns with a career-high six as a 2018 junior and three more in his 2019 senior season
• Registered career highs of 56 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks (-6 yards), two forced fumbles and 47 kick return yards in a career-high-tying 13 games and a career-high 13 starts as a senior when he was selected honorable mention All-Pac-12 and earned Cal's Ken Cotton Award as the Golden Bears' Most Courageous Player
• Led the Pac-12 and team in total interceptions with a career-high six and interceptions per game (career-high 0.5) that ranked tied for third and tied for fifth nationally, with the six interceptions also tied for the eighth-most by a Cal player in a single season as a 2018 junior
• Also had career highs of 39 interception return yards, 17 tackle for loss yards, three pass breakups, nine passes defended, one quarterback hurry and four kick returns as a junior
• Named the Cheez-It Bowl Defensive MVP as a junior after recording a career-high and Cheez-It Bowl record three interceptions that he returned a career-high 29 yards against TCU that were the most in any bowl game during the 2018 campaign and earned him a spot on the Sports Illustrated All-Bowl team, while adding a season-high six tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss (-1 yard)
• Recruited to Cal as a wide receiver then spent the 2015 season working out with the cornerbacks before moving to safety in the spring of 2016
• Changed his uniform to No. 6 beginning with the 2016 season after wearing No. 20 during his first campaign at Cal as a 2015 true freshman and during 2016 spring football

 
CAL FOOTBALL 2020 NFL DRAFT COVERAGE

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