Brycen Hopkins

Brycen Hopkins's Biography

Brycen Avery Hopkins is an American football player famed for his tight end roles amidst towering NFL giants. Born on March 27, 1997, Hopkins navigated the sports realm to become an instrumental free agent on the football ground. The Nashville, Tennessee native savored both the rigorous challenges and indelible victories, carving out an impressive career respected by many.

The seeds of athleticism were sown in Brycen during high school at The Ensworth School. The sport that first captured his attention wasn’t football, however, but basketball. It wasn’t until his junior year that he found his footing on the football field and uncovered his innate prowess for this classic American sport. By his senior year, his performance had earned him the title of Division II-AA All-State.

Recognized by Rivals.com as a two-star prospect and by 247Sports.com as a three-star prospect, his destiny lay on Purdue’s football fields. His athletic skills and fluid maneuvers on the basketball court had left an indelible impression on Purdue’s then-recruiting coordinator, Gerad Parker. This led to Purdue offering him a scholarship and opening the gate for Brycen’s thrilling college football journey.

Hopkins’s inauguration into the challenging world of college football was marked by his decision to redshirt during his freshman season. Despite serving as the second-string tight end, he proved his mettle by notching up 10 receptions for 183 yards, and an impressive four touchdowns in his redshirt freshman season. His sterling performance against Iowa, where he caught three passes for 80 yards and scored twice, amplified his standing in the game.

Even as a redshirt sophomore, Hopkins continued to excel. Although he remained the second-string tight end for Purdue, he racked up 25 eye-catching receptions for 349 yards–the most by any Purdue tight end–and scored three touchdowns. His exploits didn’t recede in his redshirt junior year. Securing his position as a key player, he bagged third place on the team with 34 receptions and 583 receiving yards, scoring two touchdowns. Honors followed, with Brycen being named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference.

As he entered his redshirt senior season, he was placed on the Mackey Award watchlist. He clinched the John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week for his splendid performance against Vanderbilt in the season opener, snagging six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. This award came his way once more when he caught ten passes for 140 yards against Maryland. Ending the season on a high note, Hopkins culminated his college career with 130 receptions for a whopping 1,945 yards and 16 touchdowns. Other awards soon adorned his trophy cabinet including being named first-team All-Big Ten, the Kwalick–Clark Tight End of the Year, a semifinalist for the Mackey Award, and second-team All-American by CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today.

The big breakthrough for Hopkins came with the NFL draft on April 25, 2020. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round, 136th overall. Brycen made his roaring NFL debut in a 24-10 victory against the Chicago Bears on October 26, 2020.

Despite playing mostly on special teams and not catching a pass during his rookie year, Hopkins didn’t escape the keen eyes of the judges during the 2021 regular season. In a total of five games, he caught one pass for nine yards. He also registered his presence in three of the Rams’ four playoff games. Moreover, he played a crucial part of the team’s victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI when both starter Tyler Higbee and backup Kendall Blanton were out due to injuries.

Unfortunately, Hopkins faced a difficult time when he was suspended for three games on September 21, 2022, for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse.

Family life has been a significant factor in Hopkins’s career. Being the son of Brad Hopkins, a prominent former player of the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, has undoubtedly influenced his journey in the realm of professional football, providing a rich legacy to uphold and continue. Despite unforeseen challenges and suspensions, Brycen Avery Hopkins has etched his mark on American football and promises a continuing saga of outstanding plays and heart-stopping performances.