Johnathan Hankins

Johnathan Hankins's Biography

Born on March 30, 1992, Johnathan Hankins is a professional American defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). His remarkable journey in football has seen him play for some of America’s most prestigious teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, the Indianapolis Colts, the New York Giants, Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.

Hankins’ journey began in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, where he was born and raised. He kicked off his high school football career as a 255-pound freshman guard before transferring to Southeastern High School for his sophomore year. It was at Southeastern where he caught everyone’s attention as the formidable presence on the defensive line, earning the title of a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.

As Hankins excelled in his high school career, notable teammates joined him, which notably includes William Gholston, another five-star prospect. Together, these two formidable football players created what many referred to as the “best defense in Detroit,” ensuring their team was a challenging prospect for their regional opponents. Despite initially intending to join Gholston at Michigan State, Hankins found his path leading him to Ohio State over offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

Hankins’ college years saw him solidify his status as a football powerhouse. Enrolling at Ohio State University, he played for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2010 to 2012. His athletic prowess was immediately apparent as he made the Buckeyes rotation as a true freshman, recording 16 tackles and a quarterback sack. Coming into the Ohio State Buckeyes as a freshman at approximately 350 pounds, Hankins managed to cut it down to 330 pounds by his sophomore year. His impact grew, and by his junior year, Hankins earned All-Big Ten Conference selection and All-American honors from Scout.com.

Despite only being in his junior year, Hankins was expected to leave Ohio State early. He was listed as a top-10 spot in 2013 NFL drafts, and in December 2012, he made it official by revealing he would forego hisfinal year of eligibility and enter the 2013 NFL Draft. Chosen by the New York Giants in the second round, Hankins embarked on his professional football career.

Hankins’ time at the Giants was filled with achievements furthermore when Linval Joseph left the Giants, leading the pathway for Hankins to fill the spot in 2014. In this role, Hankins surprised everyone, becoming more than just a formidable defensive presence but an effective pass rusher as well, helping the Giants reach new heights.

Hankins was not one to back down in the face of adversity. Despite suffering a significant pectoral muscle injury in 2015, he bounced back stronger than ever in the 2016 season, delivering an exceptional performance that culminated in him making the playoffs for the first time in his career.

His exceptional performance led him to a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. Despite momentary setbacks with the Colts and being released in 2018, he bounced back again and signed with Oakland Raiders and played for the Raiders from 2018 to 2021, delivering consistent performances throughout.

A trade to the Dallas Cowboys occurred in late 2022, once more showcasing Hankins’ abilities and culminating in his re-signing with the Cowboys in 2023. After missing three games due to a high-ankle sprain injury, he bounced back with robust performances, further solidifying his place among the nation’s elite defensive tackles.

In March 2024, Hankins marked yet another milestone in his professional football career by signing with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was reunited with Aden Durde, his former defensive line coach with the Dallas Cowboys. With this new partnership and his undoubted skills, the future appears bright for Hankins, and he remains an exciting prospect in American football.