Jaylinn Hawkins says creating turnovers defines his game

The Ravens added Jaylinn Hawkins because they believe he can bring versatility, toughness, and experience to the secondary. But if you ask Hawkins what defines his game, the answer is simple. He believes making plays on the football field is the biggest part of his identity as a player. Could Baltimore's defense become even more dangerous if Hawkins consistently creates turnovers this season?

During his appearance on The Collective podcast, Hawkins explained exactly what he wants people to notice when they turn on his film.

“I make plays. I get the ball. That’s like that’s I mean, I like that, but that’s just one thing I pride myself on is the ball. Um, it’s kind of always been a special part of my game ever since I was young and, you know, I want to further and continue that. Also, you know, I play hard energy and, you know, I’m out there hitting and just playing… tenacious defense and having fun with it. You know, those are some of the key things I want people to just see. And, um, yeah.”

For Hawkins, creating turnovers isn't just a bonus — it's central to how he views his role in Jesse Minter's and Anthony Weaver's defensive philosophy. Baltimore has long built its identity around aggressive, physical football and defenders capable of changing games with takeaways. Hawkins' mentality, toughness, and emphasis on attacking the football fit naturally within that philosophy, and if he consistently generates turnovers in 2026, he could quickly become another impactful piece of the Ravens' secondary.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Jaylinn Hawkins brings ball-hawking mindset to Ravens