Fcs Football Central

Steve Smith Sr. Compares Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker To NBA Legend Tim Duncan

NFL legend Steve Smith Sr. compared Holy Cross wide receiver Jalen Coker to NBA legend Tim Duncan ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft

Zachary McKinnell

Steve Smith Sr. Compares Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker To NBA Legend Tim Duncan
Steve Smith Sr. Compares Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker To NBA Legend Tim Duncan /
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Holy Cross wide receiver Jalen Coker is looking to become the first Holy Cross player to be selected in the NFL Draft since 1989.

Coker finished his career as the program's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (31) and receiving yards (2,715). He earned first-team FCS All-Amercian honors last season after leading the nation with 15 receiving touchdowns. He also was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award while earning first-team Patriot League honors for the second consecutive season.

Over four seasons at Holy Cross, Coker recorded 164 receptions for 2,715 receiving yards and 31 receiving touchdowns. He also holds the single-season record for receiving touchdowns (15) and won four consecutive Patriot League titles with the Crusaders. 

Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. raved about Coker's potential on the most recent episode of Agent 89 Breakdown. Smith compared his game to NBA legend Tim Duncan, highlighting Coker's ability to win in 1-on-1 situations. 

"I love Jalen Coker," Smith said. "Holy Cross, 6-foot-1, 218 lbs. The way he runs routes... He is really, really good because he lines up all over the place. You ready for my comp? Tim Duncan.

"In 2023, my man (Coker) only had two drops. He's probably a late-round guy. The kid from Holy Cross is a hell of a route runner."

Coker would only be the fourth wide receiver in program history to be selected in the NFL Draft, joining Ed Jenkins (1972), Mark Sheridan (1974), and David Quehl (1976). 

He recently participated in the NFL Scouting Combine, leading all participants with a 42.5" vertical jump. Due to his Duncan comparison, his vertical jump is also higher than any vertical jump at the NBA Combine in the past decade. 

Coker will participate in Pro Day workouts at Holy Cross on March 21. The 2024 NFL Draft is scheduled for Apr. 25-27 in Detriot, Michigan, as Coker and multiple other FCS prospects look to hear their name called on the NFL's biggest stage. 

2024 NFL Scouting Combine Results: Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker

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Zachary McKinnell
ZACHARY MCKINNELL

Zach McKinnell is the Founder and Senior Editor of FCS Football Central. He is also a columnist for HERO Sports and a contributor for Athlon Sports. In 2022, he became an official voter in the FCS Stats Perform Top-25. He is a former contributor for Vols Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports Network, and Fly War Eagle on FanSided. Zach graduated from Auburn University in 2018.

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