Giants rookie cornerback Tre Hawkins is making plays and drawing attention in training camp

Updated Aug. 3, 2023 5:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — It's hard to know what to expect from a sixth-round draft pick from a small school once training camp opens.

Cornerback Tre Hawkins of Old Dominion has been somewhat of surprise for the New York Giants.

A little more than a week into camp, Hawkins has been getting his share of reps with the first-team defense and the 22-year-old has held his own.

“He’s had a great camp,” defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said Thursday. “It’s amazing to me as you go back and you think about the different guys and where they come from. It doesn’t matter where you come from once you get here because the resources and people that they have to work with at this level and the guys that are productive, you can see the confidence just build in them.”

That doesn't mean Hawkins should be penciled in as a starting cornerback. Seven-year veteran Adoree' Jackson is back and he was New York's top defensive back in coverage last season. First-rounder Deonte Banks of Maryland is the frontrunner to start on the side opposite Jackson.

The opening for Hawkins is because of the way offenses are run in the NFL, it's common to see five and six defensive backs on the field in a pass-heavy league.

Martindale has played Jackson in the slot early in camp, which opens things up at the outside cornerback spots.

The competition is stiff with Cor'Dale Flott, Nick McCloud, Darnay Holmes, Jason Pinnock and Rodarius Williams all back from last season. Aaron Robinson, who was a starter last season, is on PUP.

“We’re doing all kinds of different combinations and a lot of it is, like you just said, we wanted to get Tre with the ones to see how he handled that, and he’s handled that well,” Martindale said. “There’s a lot of competition out there, at all the spots.”

While proud he is getting some plays with the first team, Hawkins wants to stay humble and focused. He refused to discuss his goals, adding being from smaller school doesn't fuel him.

“I feel like no matter where I’m from, I'm always going to have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “If I was coming from Alabama, I’d still have the same chip on my shoulder.”

Jackson had no problem with Hawkins taking some of his reps. The 27-year-old is entering his seventh season and proudly said having less of a load in camp is no problem. He also likes what he has seen from the rookie.

“Comfortable, poised. Doing what he does and what got him here,” Jackson said. “So, just playing his game and not being scared of the competition or shying away from it.”

Banks is the doing the same, facing receivers without help some times.

“He still has that mentality that if he gets knocked down nine times, he gets up 10 and doesn’t flinch,” Martindale said of Banks.

HYATT DEEP

Not a day goes by in practice without third-round wide receiver Jalin Hyatt catching a couple of deep passes.

He had two more Thursday. The Tennessee product, who had 15 touchdown catches last season, is not surprised by his success.

“I definitely belong here,” he said. “I think for me, just coming in the draft process, they took a chance on me. The Giants took a chance on me in the third round. I think for me, I just want to make the most of it. I want to show them why they drafted me.”

KAFKA MUM ON NORTHWESTERN

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who played quarterback at Northwestern from 2006-09 and was a graduate assistant in 2016, headed off any questions regarding the hazing scandal at his alma mater that led to the firing of long-time coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Addressing the media Thursday for the first time since the scandal broke early last month, Kafka made a statement before talking about the offense.

“You guys might ask some questions about Northwestern,” he said. “I’ll start by, first and foremost, I’m here focused on training camp and the upcoming season. I’ve got nothing but love and respect for Coach Fitz and I had a great experience at Northwestern. I really did. Many, many lifelong friends to this day. I met my wife there. I started a family there. So, I had a great experience at Northwestern. Thank you.”

When asked about the speculation that the Big Ten school was interested in hiring him to replace Fitzgerald, Kafka reiterated his focus was on the upcoming Giants' season.

Northwestern made new defensive coordinator David Braun their interim head coach for the 2023 season.

NOTES: Second-year DL Ryder Anderson left practice after hurting his right arm. ... RB Saquon Barkley made a couple of nice catches, including a one-hander, working against ILB Bobby Okereke in one-on-one drills. ... Referee Clay Martin's officiating crew worked the two-hour practice and discussed rule changes for the upcoming season with the team.

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