Jalen Coker

Great young man and a beautiful family. Class through and through.

Chasing a childhood dream, Holy Cross stars Coker, Hanson declare for NFL draft

Jennifer Toland

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Holy Cross's Jalen Coker reels in a record-setting touchdown catch against Harvard earlier this season at Polar Park.

Ever since Jalen Coker was a 6-year-old flag football player, his dream was to play in the NFL.

“There was never a plan B,” Holy Cross’ record-setting senior wide receiver said in an interview Monday afternoon.

Even during Coker’s brief stint in youth soccer, his athleticism and acumen were evident. A parent assured Coker’s mom, Jenny, that, one day, they would be watching him on TV.

Coker, who led FCS with 15 touchdown receptions this regular season and ranked fifth in receiving yards (1,040), announced last week he would enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Holy Cross fifth-year right guard C.J. Hanson, who captained one of the top offensive lines in the country, also declared for the NFL Draft, which is April 25-27.

Draftcountdown.com projects Coker and Hanson as sixth-round picks.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound Hanson, who helped the Crusaders rank in the top 10 nationally in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense this season, recently accepted an invitation to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1. Hanson is the first HC player to receive that honor since Gordie Lockbaum in 1988.


“That’s wild,” Hanson said. “To put your name next to someone like that, it’s special.”

Hanson’s last day of school is Friday. Next Monday, he will head to X3 Performance and Physical Therapy in Fort Myers, Fla., to train for the next few months. Coker will join him there in early January.

“I always thought I would have an opportunity to play in the NFL,” Coker said, “and it’s here. I’m trying my best not to get too ‘Wow! Bright lights’ kind of thing. I’m just trying to play the game I’ve been playing my whole life and continue to take it like that.”

The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Coker, who will play in the Hula Bowl on Jan. 13, set Holy Cross career records for receiving yards (2,715) and touchdown receptions (31), and he made two of the most memorable winning TD catches in HC history, against Sacred Heart in the 2021 FCS playoffs and against Buffalo in 2022.

Holy Cross’s Jalen Coker catches and rushes for a first down versus Harvard during the EBW Football Classic on Saturday September 30, 2023 at Polar Park in Worcester.

Coker had one season (the COVID year) of college eligibility remaining.

“I feel like I did my four years in college,” Coker said, “and it was time for me. (Graduate) transferring crossed my mind, but I feel like I did what I had to do at the college level. I’m not saying I can’t get better, of course, but this is something I always wanted to do. I have my opportunity. I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, so let’s just go ahead and see what I can do.”

Scouts from all 32 NFL teams came through HC this season.

Hanson, a two-time All-Patriot League first-team selection, was also an aspiring pro on his first-grade flag football team, but his future in the sport didn’t really form until the end of his junior year in high school, when he had his growth spurt.

“I didn’t know until then that I had a chance,” Hanson said. “I said, ‘I’ve got to fight for this. This is something I can do.’”

Entering his senior year of high school, Hanson had one college offer, from Holy Cross. He earned a starting spot on his high school team that season.

Holy Cross’s Jalen Coker runs out of bounds while Boston College’s Amari Jackson pursues.

“I felt comfortable and I gained a lot of confidence that year,” Hanson said. “When I got here, they took that little bit of confidence and turned it into a whole bunch. I couldn’t be more thankful for this program making me who I am.”

Coker said HC has prepared him well for what is next.

“How we go about practice,” Coker said, “paying attention to detail, not taking anything for granted, the weight room with Coach (Chris) Grautski, I think that will all translate very well to the NFL. I just have to make sure I take everything I learned here and continue to do that wherever I go to the next level.”

Holy Cross offensive lineman CJ Hanson runs through a drill during practice last week.

Grautski, HC’s associate strength & conditioning coach/director of football, recently set up a Zoom call for Coker and Hanson with former Holy Cross stars Benton Whitley and Liam Anderson.

Whitley is with the New York Giants and had a pass breakup against the Patriots two weeks ago. Anderson is on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Whitley and Anderson both entered the league as undrafted free agents.

“They told us some of the dos and don’ts and what to think about when you’re going through the draft process,” Hanson said. “It was so helpful. They are such great dudes and teammates.”

Coker said his position coach, Rich Gunnell, who spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010, has also been a great resource.

Holy Cross' C.J. Hanson lifts Jordan Fuller while Christo Kelly looks on after Fuller scored his fourth touchdown during a game earlier this season at Fitton Field.

After their respective all-star games, pro days and possible combine invites will follow for Coker and Hanson.

“Once I start to get into the flow of it all,” Coker said, “it will settle in. My mom keeps telling me how amazing it is I have the opportunity to do this.”

Hanson was part of five straight Patriot League championships at HC.

“I’ve always been prepared for situations here,” Hanson said. “That’s a testament to our hard work and work ethic on the field, and the transition of it being off the field, too. I have a lot of teammates and coaches praying for me and wishing me the best. I have a lot of pride behind me, so I’m ready for it. Holy Cross has surely done a great job getting me prepared.”

Holy Cross freshman defensive lineman William Robinson earned Freshman All-America honors from FCS Football Central. Robinson played in all 11 games this season and ranked second on the team with 4.5 sacks.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jentolandtg.