The Spire

Ben Kuchipudi ’25

Sports Editor

On December 1st, 2023, superstar wide receiver Jalen Coker announced via his Instagram that he would be entering the 2024 NFL Draft. He is one of two Holy Cross Crusaders (the other being tackle CJ Hanson) to put his name in the draft. During his four years here, he has improved every season to become the best wide receiver in the FCS and one of the most underrated receivers in all of college football. 

Coming out of Sterling, Virginia, Coker had a minimal role as a freshman as most usually do, putting up four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown in a COVID shortened season. Standing at 6’3”, Coker had huge potential to be a jump ball threat, and they put that frame to use in his sophomore season. Coker, playing alongside senior Tenio Ayeni, junior Ayir Asante, and freshman Justin Shorter led the team in receiving yards with 663 and receptions with 50. He helped Holy Cross finish with a 10-2 record and at the time a third consecutive Patriot League title. 

It was in the playoffs, however, where he would have his first of many watershed moments as a Crusader. In a low scoring playoff game at home, the Crusaders trailed 10-6 with just under 20 seconds remaining. Seeing the one on one coverage on the left side of the field, Matthew Sluka trusted his number one target Coker and heaved a bomb that Coker came down with in the end zone for the game winning score. It was Holy Cross’ first playoff win in program history and Coker’s first signature moment as a Crusader. Holy Cross would unfortunately fall in the second round to Villanova with Coker once again finishing as the lead receiver. It was a massive improvement for the sophomore, but his junior and senior years would prove how much of a threat he truly was. 

In a season where the Crusaders finished 11-0, there was no stopping Jalen Coker, as he once again had 50 receptions, but he had 914 yards and 11 touchdowns as well. The Sluka to Coker connection was a nightmare for opposing defenses. If Sluka couldn’t kill you on the ground, he could throw it up to Coker and he would essentially “moss” opposing defenders. This was on full display in Week Two against their FBS opponents in Buffalo. In a situation similar to the Sacred Heart game, the Crusaders and Bulls were tied at 31 with six seconds remaining. Holy Cross sat at the 46 yard line needing a miracle to prevent overtime. Sluka danced around the pocket and heaved it towards the end zone, and even though there were four Bulls in the vicinity, there was no denying Jalen Coker, as he came down with the ball and sent Buffalo packing. He finished with four catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns that night, and it started a streak where Holy Cross couldn’t lose. They had an undefeated regular season and finished with a first round bye. They dispatched New Hampshire in the second round with Coker once again finding the end zone, but they fell to the eventual champion South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the quarterfinal.

Coker’s senior season was the best season ever by a Crusader receiver. He was simply unstoppable as he scored in every game except for one. He scored multiple times in four different games, highlighted by a nine catch, 124 yard and three touchdown performance against Yale. In the last game of the season and his Holy Cross career, Coker cracked 1,000 yards in a season for the first time and broke the Holy Cross receiving touchdown record with 15. The Crusaders unfortunately missed the playoffs this season with a 7-4 record, but Coker proved that he was the best receiver in the FCS, finishing with 59 receptions for 1,035 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15 scores led not only FCS receivers, but all of college football, proving that he was more than an NFL prospect. 

He has had a legendary career at Holy Cross, finishing with numerous All-Patriot League selections and along with Matthew Sluka being selected as finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in the FCS. His resume warrants NFL attention, as most teams look for a reliable jump ball receiver, and Coker is so much more than that. As a community, we are all going to miss Jalen, and we wish him the best of luck as he enters the 2024 NFL Draft.