Senior Bowl week is underway in Mobile, Ala., as the NFL Draft cycle is set to begin.
The 2025 class is one of the strongest tied-in classes in recent years. It comes as no surprise that the Houston Texans are doing their homework on the available group of players at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes is coming off a strong senior campaign where he showed off his prowess as a blocker and finished with 16 receptions for 195 yards.
His presence at the Senior Bowl has been a huge opportunity to prove that he can offer more than just his ability as a blocker and to meet with several NFL coaching staffs.
Texans Wire had the chance to sit down with Hawes, who confirmed that he had met with the Texans, to discuss his college career and week at the Senior Bowl.
Texans Wire: Why did you decide to play in the Senior Bowl?
Jackson Hawes: “I mean, why not? You know, it’s a great opportunity going against the best of the best. I think Jim (Nagy) has done a really good job like with this event and there’s a reason everyone’s here, there’s a reason I’m here. We’re the best college football players in the nation going into this next step and why not man? It’s a great opportunity.”
TW: How has your experience been here this week?
Hawes: “I feel good. I feel like the install has been, you know, it’s been a lot obviously, but it’s been manageable. I feel like the coaches have done a really good job at not overwhelming us there because they know we got interviews and other stuff to prepare for. Prepare for. All the players are awesome, Just a bunch of different personalities from all over the country. It is so fun, it’s going by too fast.
You know, our coach brought us up at the end and was like, “I think we’re really becoming, to start to be a team.” You know I think you see stuff like that when when guys are, you know, bonding and come closer.”
Former #GATech TE Jackson Hawes reflects on his time in Atlanta and credits Brent Key with a strong culture being built inside the building…
https://t.co/NuNhSNYciB pic.twitter.com/stq6MKSSd1
— The Crowded Booth (@thecrowdedbooth) January 30, 2025
TW: What kind of player and person is your future NFL team getting?
Hawes: “I’m just a guy that’s going to walk into any room with the most positive mindset ever. You know, I’m a guy who is really confident. I’m a guy that really likes to win, who knows what it takes, you know, at Yale and at Georgia Tech? I’m going to look to do whatever I can and inspire my teammates to make that happen.”
TW: What is a play from your 2024 season that you’re excited to show NFL evaluators?
Hawes: “I guess the first one that comes to mind is I had like a 41-yard seem-read against Louisville late in the game. We were down, it was like 2 two-minute offense and I had tweaked my ankle, you know, a couple of plays before and decided to stay into the game. I guess, not to be a braggart or anything, but that’s a testament to my toughness and my willingness to compete for my team. And you know, I was out for a couple weeks after that, but I’m glad I stayed in because it gave me the opportunity to show a big play.”
Jackson Hawes pass pro pic.twitter.com/vDGCIpsD5f
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 30, 2025
TW: Have you met with the Houston Texans this week?
Hawes: I have, that’s one of my favorite teams I’ve met with so far. I guess I won’t go into too much detail of course, but they were just totally enthusiastic about me. You know, they were just totally into it and they really matched my energy I felt like.
TW: What would it be like to play if a quarterback like C.J. Stroud?
Hawes: “I would love it. Yeah, I think CJ is awesome. He does a really good job. I think he’s really inspirational and really motivational towards his guys. Him being so young and being able to do all that and rally guys around him and have success in the playoffs is really cool to see. You know, why wouldn’t anyone want to play for him.”