Latest news with #JacksonHawes
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NFL taps Bills for 'Hard Knocks' debut during training camp. NFC East as featured in-season division
Buffalo Bills edge rusher Landon Jackson (94) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills edge rusher Landon Jackson (94) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Buffalo Bills tight end Jackson Hawes (85) speaks to the media after the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Orchard Park, N.Y., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The reigning NFL MVP will be a featured attraction this season on the league's training camp documentary, with the Buffalo Bills making their first appearance on 'Hard Knocks.' The New York Giants will get another shot, too, after their uncomfortable debut. Advertisement The NFL announced Wednesday at the spring owners meetings that the Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, were selected for the behind-the-scenes show on HBO that's in its 25th year. The five-part series will air on Tuesdays beginning on Aug. 5. The NFC East was also picked as the featured division on the in-season show, with filming of the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to air in December. The league reached a new multi-year deal with HBO to continue to broadcast the show. The Bills, who hold their training camp off-site at St. John Fisher University outside of Rochester, New York, have entered their ninth year under head coach Sean McDermott. Still seeking their first championship, having not appeared in the Super Bowl since their fourth consecutive loss following the 1993 season, the Bills have won five straight AFC East titles and qualified for the playoffs in seven of the past eight years. Allen has been a driver of that success, entering his eighth season and coming off his first MVP award. The Bills return a majority of their offense from a team that finished second in the NFL in scoring in the 2024 season. They retooled their defense, starting with the addition in free agency of edge rusher Joey Bosa. Advertisement The NFL revamped its rules last year around 'Hard Knocks' appearances, previously allowing teams that made the playoffs within the previous two seasons to decline to participate. Such an opt-out is no longer an option. Teams now ineligible for selection include those with a first-year head coach, those that have appeared on the training camp version of the show in the past eight seasons, and those picked for the in-season version focusing on one division. The Chicago Bears were a first-time 'Hard Knocks' participant last season during training camp. HBO and co-producer NFL Films last year added the in-season show, filming around the four AFC North teams, and an offseason version that premiered — and perhaps ended — with a focus on the Giants. The awkward goodbye between running back Saquon Barkley and general manager Joe Schoen was a prominent part of that series, which has so far not been renewed. Barkley, who signed with the rival Eagles and went on to win the Super Bowl, later complained that his side of the conversation with Schoen was recorded and aired without his consent. Advertisement Schoen's informing Barkley that the Giants would not make him a contract offer or put the franchise tag on him and thus let him become a free agent became a must-see scene, along with a pained reaction from owner John Mara about losing a popular player. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Rookie Reveals Key To 'Laser Mentality'
One could argue that it takes a special type of player to embody what it means to be a Buffalo Bill, and for most, that is a tough, gritty, physical football player. With Joe Brady's "everybody eats" mantra fueling Buffalo's surge last season, there is also a strong "team above everything" mentality, and everyone on offense, defense, and special teams does all the dirty work. Advertisement But in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, the Bills got one player who loves getting his hands on opponents and enforcing his will on them more than most. Georgia Tech's Jackson Hawes is Josh Allen's latest weapon, but he's not an offensive weapon in the conventional sense. He's a bruising blocker who loves nothing more than putting defenders in the dirt. "I think you just got to be comfortable sticking your face in there," Hawes said on his blocking prowess. "You can't blink, my mentality is my eyes are like the lasers, man, and I'm just staring down my target, and then I'm not satisfied until I'm moving them." Labeled as the best blocking tight end in college and the draft class, Hawes is an extension of the offensive line and takes pride in moving defenders off their mark and putting them on their backside. Advertisement Yes, he's a receiver, too. In his only college season with Georgia Tech, he totaled 195 yards from 16 receptions. "A lot of stuff in the quick game, a lot of stuff out in the perimeter, anything that the coach wants me to do," Hawes added on what else he brings to the offense. The Bills are getting a proper blue-collar player. One who takes pride in his duties, both in the run and pass game, with his blocking chops second-to-none. Dalton Kincaid is the clear No. 1 tight end, and with Dawson Knox having an out in his contract after 2025, Hawes' "laser mentality" might see Knox pushed down the depth chart, with the rookie set to bring a new level of physicality to the AFC East bullies. Related: 'The Next Josh Allen' Gets Drafted By Buffalo Bills Rival Related: Bills' Josh Allen Reveals 'Different World' With 'Sinners' Hailee Steinfeld
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Draft Rookie Who Is Best At The 1 Thing He Does
The Buffalo Bills had a solid draft class with defense being a key priority, but the offense also had some nice additions. One of which was Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes. While some might look at Hawes' stats from last season and ask themselves why the Bills would draft a tight end who isn't a good receiver, well, he's seen as the best blocking tight end in college. Advertisement In a similar role to what Dawson Knox does, Hawes comes to Buffalo looking to establish himself as a bruising blocker. For Greg Cosell, who was a guest on One Bills Live, he knows exactly what Hawes is coming to Buffalo to do. "Of the ones I saw, which was a good amount, I think he was the best blocking tight end that I watched," Cosell said. "He's not necessarily a receiver, but they're not drafting him to do that." American team tight end Jackson Hawes of Georgia Tech spars with American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A& Hunt-Imagn Images So yes, Hawes isn't a receiving tight end, but that's fine, Buffalo has Dalton Kincaid to do that. But with James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, and Josh Allen, the Bills have quite the star-studded cast to run the ball with. However, to do that, you need good blockers - enter Hawes. Advertisement "I think you just got to be comfortable sticking your face in there," Hawes said on his blocking prowess. "You can't blink, my mentality is my eyes are like the lasers, man, and I'm just staring down my target, and then I'm not satisfied until I'm moving them." So, he knows his key strength, and he is bringing that to a Bills team that has a reputation for being the bully of the AFC East. Some might scoff at the notion of drafting a tight end for the sole purpose of blocking, but Hawes can be a receiver when called upon. As Cosell stated, that's not what Buffalo intends to do with him - he's going to physically overpower defenders in the run game. And he'll do it with a smile on his face, too. Related: Schefter Predicts Major Changes for Bills Related: Bills Sneaky Trade of A.J. Epenesa Predicted
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Bills select Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes at No. 173 in Round 5
2025 NFL draft: Bills select Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes at No. 173 in Round 5 The Buffalo Bills have finally addressed their offense at the 2025 NFL draft in the fifth round. With the No. 173 overall selection, Georgia Tech tight end Jackson Hawes heads to Buffalo: A playmaker at tight end was not amongst the top needs for the Bills coming to the draft with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox in the fold. Hawes will still have his role. Hawes could slot right in as a blocking tight end on the Bills offense and a potential special teams option. Pro Football Focus graded him a positive 74.7 run blocker in 2024. In 2024, Hawes only mustered up 16 catches for 195 yards in 12 games played. Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 draft.
USA Today
19-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 42, Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 42, Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. Tucker Kraft has emerged as a budding star at tight end for the Green Bay Packers. Kraft's counterpart, Luke Musgrave has battled the injury bug during his first two seasons in the league and if Musgrave can stay on the field, they could form a dynamic one-two punch for Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur. Given Musgrave's durability concerns, Brian Gutekunst will likely look to add a tight end on Day 3 of the draft as an insurance policy. A potential target is Jackson Hawes. The Georgia Tech tight end checks in at No. 42 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A native of Utah, Hawes started his collegiate career at Yale. During his lone season at Georgia Tech, Hawes caught 16 receptions for 195 yards. 'Hawes was one of the offense's MVPs, without question,' Chad Bishop, the Georgia Tech beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said. 'Tech did not rely on Hawes as a pass catcher or playmaker from a statistical standpoint, but his ability to block in Tech's run-heavy offense was invaluable - especially after the offense lost key tight ends from the 2023 roster and were short a few more due to injury throughout the '24 season. Tech's attack uses a lot of pre-snap shifts and motions, then often deploys the quarterback in the ground game, and Hawes' ability to master those two aspects of the offense from Day 1 helped Tech's offense succeed week-in and week-out.' Hawes is wired like a throwback tight end. He works his tail off as a blocker. He's the kid who ran the playground during recess. He's a physical in-line blocker and eliminates defenders when he gets out in space. He looks to bury anybody that gets in his path. He has the upper body strength to stay engaged and keeps his legs churning at contact to create movement. There is no doubt that he could step in on Day 1 and help a team's rushing attacks. "I think first there is an intelligence factor there," Bishop said. "Hawes, after all, has a degree from Yale and it was clear his mind was able to pick up Tech's offense fairly easily. So, his ability to be in the right place, understand why he was in that place and execute his assignment was crucial. I recall one day in practice this season and I asked a Tech staff member who on the current roster has the best chance to make an NFL roster and without hesitation, the answer was, 'Jackson, because he can block'." During his three seasons at Yale, Hawes caught 35 receptions for 371 yards and six touchdowns. This past season he caught a career-high 16 receptions. The numbers won't jump off the page, but Hawes made his living as an in-line sledgehammer. Anything he did in the passing game was gravy. That doesn't mean Hawes doesn't have the frame, movement skills, or hands to develop into a reliable target. He gets into his routes with urgency and has good size (6-4, 253 pounds) to work the middle of the field. He has reliable hands. When his number was called, which wasn't often, he answered the phone. "I think Jackson is probably a bit underrated in this category," Bishop said. "He has certainly shown the ability to make the catch. There is tape of a one-handed grab in Senior Bowl practice that was impressive. That part of his game just wasn't necessary at Tech, and if he does happen to make an NFL roster, I wouldn't expect him to ever lead the league in receptions by a tight end. But I also believe when his number is called he'll make the play." Saying Hawes likes to do the dirty work is like saying the sky is blue. Turn on the tape and it will become painfully obvious that he likes the physical side of the game. He's a grab-your-hard-hat type of player. He finished his career with 454 snaps on special teams and recorded nine tackles. Fit with the Packers The Packers proved that they could be a smash-mouth football team last season with Josh Jacobs rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hawes would fit in seamlessly at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. He'd provide an immediate impact on special teams and he's NFL-ready with his ability to do the dirty work in the trenches as an in-line blocker. Kraft and Musgrave would handle all the targets in the passing game for the tight end room. While they are catching passes from Love, Hawes could be taking names in the run game to help open up running lanes for Jacobs. "You would have a professional football player already," Bishop said. "His aptitude for learning and commitment to the team, scheme and game plan would, I think, be ahead of the learning curve for most rookies. I think he also understands what he does well and what makes him successful and could seamlessly slide into a locker room and fit right in." Hawes is a pound-the-table-for-type player. He's intelligent, willing to do the dirty work and would provide an immediate impact on special teams. Don't be surprised if the Packers use one of their Day 3 picks on the best blocking tight end in this class.
