Image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics 

Jalen Coker has turned heads throughout the NFL Draft process and will have another chance to do so at Pro Day in a week or so.

Before Coker has that one last job interview in front of dozens of NFL scouts and agents, he got quite an endorsement from former Panthers and Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.

Smith Sr. has been watching 2024 wide receiver draft prospects on film and breaking them down with short clips. On Friday, he got to Coker.

“I love Jalen Coker,” Smith Sr. said in the social media post. “Holy Cross, 6’1,” 218 lbs. The way he runs his routes, really, really good because he lines up all over the place.”

The one big twist in the minute-long video is the fact that he compares Coker to former NBA legend and Spurs’ great Tim Duncan because of his ability to box guys out before going up and getting the ball.

“Box out. Catch. Dunk. No wasted movement,” Smith Sr. added while making some animated gestures to emphasize his point. Smith sr. went on to show a few clips of Coker plucking balls out of the air or burning cornerbacks on routes.

“Look at this,” Smith Sr. said while showing one clip against BC. “QB hung him out to dry, he knows, but he still goes up with authority.”

During another BC clip, Smith Sr. was in awe of a particular route on the sideline.

“Corner knows he’s in trouble,” he said as Coker ran a perfect comeback on the sideline. “There’s a few routes, and this is one of the routes where I’m like, ‘he can play.’ Yes, yes, you don’t see routes like that.”

Another clip of Coker snagging a ball on the run drew more compliments from the veteran wideout and further confirmed what Smith was seeing and what many have known for a while now.

Jalen Coker belongs in the NFL.

“Watch how he catches the ball with his hands,” Smith Sr. added. “Outside releases, crosses him over, look at the hands catch. In 2023, my man only had two drops. He’s probably a late round guy, but the kid from Holy Cross is a hell of a rout runner.”