Less than an hour down the road from Fitton Field — where wide receiver Jalen Coker dazzled for the Holy Cross football team over the past four seasons — he made his National Football League debut, and a lifelong dream came true.

Coker — Holy Cross' all-time leader in career receiving yards (2,715) and career touchdown receptions (31) after a stellar career from 2020 to 2023 — suited up for the Carolina Panthers in their preseason matchup against the New England Patriots on Thursday, Aug. 8. In Thursday's game at Gillette Stadium, Coker spent time at receiver and on special teams, securing his first NFL reception with a three-yard grab in the second quarter.  

"It's totally surreal," Coker said following the game. "But it goes back to the work I've been putting in — I felt like I was prepared for this moment. That's something that goes back to OTAs and then minicamp and all that. It's really a blessing to be out there…it was just such an amazing experience. 

"To come back here for my first NFL game, you couldn't write it any better."

A finalist for the Walter Payton Award during his senior season in 2023, Coker finished in the top 10 for voting — the only receiver to do so — and also became a three-time All-Patriot League selection and two-time All-New England honoree. He earned All-America honors from Stats Perform, the  Associated Press and FCS Football Central. As a senior, he led the nation and set a single-season program record for touchdown receptions (15).

Coker and the Panthers will round out their preseason slate with games against the New York Jets (Aug. 17) and Buffalo Bills (Aug. 24). In the meantime, he's looking forward to continuing to grow and adapt his game to the NFL style. 

"I've always been a really coachable player," Coker said. "I'm going to try my best to mold my game to fit the best for the team. So if that means coming down blocking, if that means going out running the pass, if that means lead blocking up for the fullback, or whatever it is — I'm just trying to be coachable and just trying to find my place."

Coker was a free agent signee by the Panthers following the 2024 NFL Draft in April, becoming one of six Crusaders currently on an NFL roster. Other Holy Cross alumni currently on NFL preseason squads include Kalif Raymond '16 (Detroit Lions), Benton Whitley '22 (New York Giants), Liam Anderson '23 (Indianapolis Colts), Ayir Asante '23 (Giants) and C.J. Hanson '24 (Kansas City Chiefs).

"It's just slowly becoming the norm to see guys come from Holy Cross [to the NFL]," Coker said. "It's not only great for the school…we get to show that we can play just with everyone else. It's just a huge honor that we're able to do that. I'm so happy that they're doing well and that I'm doing well.

"I feel like I represented Holy Cross really well, and I'm so proud."

OTHER CRUSADERS IN THE NFL…

• Thursday evening's preseason matchup between the New York Giants and Detroit Lions pitted a trio of Crusaders against each other: Detroit's Raymond and New York's Whitley and Asante. The Giants came away with a 14-3 victory, featuring a six-yard sack from Whitley in the fourth quarter. Asante also had a four-yard punt return.
• Hanson and the Chiefs are scheduled to start their preseason with a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Aug. 10. Anderson's Colts are scheduled to face the Denver Broncos to open preseason play on Sunday, Aug. 11. 

Season tickets are now on sale to watch the five-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross football team during the upcoming 2024 season. Full season ticket packages for Holy Cross' five home games at Fitton Field begin at just $88 and provide fans access to a number of exclusive benefits. To renew or purchase season tickets, fans can visit the Holy Cross ticket website, call or text 1-844-GO-CROSS, or email tickets@holycross.edu.

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