Colts Prospect Interviews: Jalen Coker, WR, Holy Cross
The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner and the Indianapolis Colts have some work to do to get this roster ready for the upcoming season. Luckily, this upcoming draft class appears to be a good one from top to bottom on paper.
One position group that appears to be as stacked as usual is wide receiver. From superstars at the top of the class to underrated contributors at the bottom, NFL teams should be salivating over the opportunity to add a receiver in this draft.
Jalen Coker is one of the day three type of pass catchers that could latch on to an NFL team in this class. Coker, 23, was a productive pass catcher at Holy Cross in his collegiate career. He hauled in 164 receptions for 2,715 yards and 31 touchdowns in 39 career games at the FCS level. He leaves Holy Cross as the program's all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards.
Coker has had a busy offseason up to this point. He participated in the Hula Bowl in early January before quickly shifting gears and flying out to participate in the Shrine Game as well. He will be at the NFL Combine later this month, so this young pass catcher will have another chance to showcase his skills for NFL scouts.
Success at Holy Cross
You have been a part of a good amount of success in college with Holy Cross. What was that experience like for you in helping to build that program up?
It was kind of surreal. From not winning anything in high school to being 5-time Patriot League Champions.. it's definitely not something that I expected coming from where I came from. The memories that I made there are things that I'm going to cherish forever. I feel like just yesterday I was a freshman and my time there just came in went in a blink. It was definitely a surreal experience for me.
Hula Bowl and Shrine Game
Your first big opportunity this offseason came at the Hula Bowl, where you stood out with a huge plays throughout the week. How was that experience for you?
It was great. I enjoyed the Hula Bowl experience a lot, especially meeting everyone and competing against everyone. It was a lot of fun and it was a great experience that I absolutely loved.
Immediately after the Hula Bowl you were invited out to the Shrine Game. What was that week like for you in working under some of the NFL coaches involved with that event?
That was great. Like you said, I got to work with a lot of NFL coaches that week. I got to see how they run meetings, how they talk to players, and how things really operate at the NFL level. That was really my biggest takeaway from the event and it was a great opportunity for me to get that early experience with those things.
Coker's Style as a Wide Receiver
A major part of being a receiver in today's NFL is the ability to win over the middle of the field. The physicality ramps up in that danger area, but receivers have to be able to haul in passes in traffic. That appears to be a strength in your game from what I saw with your college film.
You know, at Holy Cross, you don't expect to catch the ball 10+ times a game. I want the ball in my hands, and you really can't do anything without the rock. It's football man, you are always going to get hit. My goal is to just make the catch and make sure I'm getting the rock and then doing what I have to afterwards to either make a play or protect myself from the hit.
I'm just not really thinking about it though when I'm out there. When the ball comes my way, I'm really just focused on making the catch and making the play.
The other major trait that stands out on your film is just your hands. You are a reliable pass catcher that does an excellent job of catching the ball away from your frame and flashing those hands late when a defender is close by. Did you really have to work to develop that trait or is it more natural for you?
I feel like it's really always been a part of my game. I wouldn't say I've really developed it because I feel like it really comes down to repetition and repetition since my freshman year to senior year. I've had some great coaches help me master what I've already had and polish it off.
I feel like that is one of my best features, my ability to catch the football. It really just comes natural for me in a way.
Yeah, your hands and your reliability out there as a pass catcher are massive when it comes to trust with a quarterback. How was that rapport/chemistry between you and your quarterback at Holy Cross?
I feel like both of us coming in the same year, both from the "practice squad" so to speak, led to us building that chemistry early. We both were making plays in practice which led to us making some plays in the games when we got our opportunities. The bond really just got built naturally.
In practice, and in games too, I don't really drop the football. It's not something that I do. That ability just created another level of trust on the field between us as well. It wasn't really like a spoken thing between us, he just knew that I was always going to be an option for him regardless if I was covered or not. I'm going to make the catch and if I don't make it for whatever reason, they are definitely not getting a pick.
That is what really built up our relationship.
Transition to the NFL
This is a deep wide receiver class with talent from top to bottom. You are one of many guys in this group that can step in and have an impact early in the NFL. What is my NFL team getting if they spend a draft pick on you this year?
You are getting a hard worker that is always going to be dedicated to his craft. A guy that will play special teams and will block, the things that nobody else wants to do. Whenever I get my opportunity, I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to be a guy that is hard to keep off of the field.
You are getting a good person, a great player, and someone that has playmaking ability on the field.
The Bottom Line
Coker is a wide receiver prospect to watch in this draft class. He was highly productive at the collegiate level, and his style of play definitely can translate to the NFL game. His willingness and ability to play on special teams could also be a major plus going into this draft process.
If the Colts want to add another quality name to their receiver core this offseason, they should take a look at Coker on day three of this draft.
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