Speed has long been one of the top traits possessed by Jerrae “Tank” Hawkins.
A former two-sport standout at Wheeling Park High School, the wide receiver continues to settle into his new home at Washington State after spending his first two seasons at Florida.
To maximize his potential, Hawkins will need to get the most from his speed, something very few others can match.
“We can draw up all the plays we want, but guys who can catch the ball at 5 yards and take it 55 are different,” first-year Cougars’ head coach Kirby Moore said. “I was at Missouri the last three years as an offensive coordinator and I remember seeing Tank’s film at IMG when he was being recruited. The speed jumps off the tape. We want to have all different types of receivers, but Tank’s ability to stretch the field is something we need to create explosive plays.”
A former receiver himself at Boise State, Moore became Washington State’s head coach in December of 2025.
Less than one month into his tenure, Moore secured a commitment from Hawkins, who caught 12 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown over two years with the Gators.
“I feel like it fit what I wanted for my future with the playing style and different ways to use me,” Hawkins said. “I’m kind of used to meeting new people, so it didn’t really affect me.”
Hawkins played football at WPHS through his junior year. He was a Class AAA first-team all-state selection in 2022 after catching 67 passes for 1,143 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Following the season and during winter break, he transferred to IMG Academy, a boarding school and sports training facility in Bradenton, Fla., known for producing Division I athletes.
Had he stuck on at Wheeling Park for the entirety of his junior year, Hawkins almost certainly would have repeated as state champion in the 100 and 200-meter at the WVSSAC State Track and Field Championships.
“I’ve never had a kid that can run like that and we’ve had some pretty good ones,” veteran Wheeling Park football coach Chris Daugherty said of Hawkins while he was a Patriot.
Instead, Hawkins was already in the Sunshine State at that point and finished first in the 60-meter dash at the 2023 Florida Indoor Championships with a time of 6.70.
A few months later, he caught 26 passes for 483 yards with four touchdowns for IMG, which finished 10-0 and No. 4 in MaxPreps’ Top 25 National Poll.
Although he made an impact at Florida as a freshman, Hawkins’ role was diminished as a sophomore when he played in four games and had two receptions for 16 yards.
Moore believes he can be an integral part of the WSU offense in 2026.
“He’s bought into everything that we’ve asked of him,” Moore said. “His speed shows up. One thing we talk about is doing more than is expected. That’s player-driven Tank is always around the program.”
At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Hawkins has made a concerted effort to add weight and strength, all while ensuring he doesn’t lose a step.
“Just doing what I’ve been doing on top of eating more and lifting more, but making sure I stay fast,” Hawkins said. “I can’t lose that. I’ve approached my offseason training and weightlifting to help keep my speed as I gain weight.”
Moore believes Hawkins has maintained the speed that separates him from many others, and if anything, perhaps increased it.
“He is our fastest receiver from an explosive standpoint,” Moore said. “I don’t know the exact number of the speed metrics, but the 10s and 20s they ran in the summer, his speed showed up. From a coaching standpoint, we have to make sure we are maximizing guys’ strengths and putting them in position to use those.”
The offensive-minded Moore has quickly risen the coaching ranks and was successful as an offensive coordinator at Fresno State in 2022 before guiding the Tigers’ attack each of the last three seasons. He is known for utilizing a pro-style attack that prides itself on passing efficiency.
“It has me in intermediate routes, option routes, going deep and in motion, so I feel like it fits me well,” Hawkins said.
While Moore hopes to make the most of Hawkins’ speed, he’s also hopeful the player and system can help the speedster show he’s much more than a one-trick pony.
“He’s done a good job improving his weight in the offseason,” Moore said. “Other receivers on the team are more in the 6-1 or 6-2 mold, bigger bodies and there are strengths they all have. We want to make sure we’re playing to those. Tank’s done a great job with the ball in his hands or stretching the field, but even, too, with some of the little things that show up. He’s been very bought in embracing his role and putting the team first.”
Naturally, a player with Hawkins’ profile would be in the mix to make a special teams impact, and Moore says that is the case at WSU.
“He’s been back there in the return game,” Moore said. “We just finished up the first week, but he’s shown ability in the punt return and kickoff return game. The guys with explosiveness similar to Tank, we have to find ways to get touches, whether it’s on offense or special teams, because those guys can change the game.”