Leonard Hankerson

Leonard Hankerson Jr. (born January 30, 1989) is a former American football wide receiver and coach who is the wide receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami, and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Hankerson has also played for the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills.

Early years

Hankerson attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As a junior, he had 28 receptions, 606 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. In his senior year, he had 39 receptions, 803 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.

Personal life

He has four children: Leonard III, Lenaris, Kienarria and Zara and is married to wife Kayla.

College career

As a true freshman in 2007, Hankerson started two of seven games, and had six receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2008 he started two of eight games, making 11 receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2009, he became a full-time starter. He started 12 of 13 games and finished the season with 45 receptions for 801 yards and six touchdowns. His Senior year he hauled in 72 catches for 1,156 yard and 13 touchdowns. The 13 touchdowns passed Michael Irvin for the most in a single season by a Hurricane. In the Senior Bowl, Hankerson stood out as the best receiver catching 5 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Professional playing career

2011 NFL draft

Washington Redskins

2011 season

Hankerson was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Hankerson made his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers. In Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers, he made his first career start.
His rookie season was cut short after suffering a subluxation of his right hip and a torn labrum in his second game as a starter against the Miami Dolphins.
On November 15, Hankerson was officially placed on injured reserve.

2012 season

After nearly three months of relying solely on physical therapy, it was confirmed that Hankerson had surgery on his hip on February 21, 2012. Hankerson was fully healed from the surgery and ready by the start of training camp in late July. In the preseason, he competed with and lost to Josh Morgan for the starting flanker position. In Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams, he recorded his first career touchdown after catching a 68-yard pass from Robert Griffin III. In the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns, he would score two touchdowns with one of them being a 54-yard touchdown pass while under triple coverage from Kirk Cousins.

2013 season

In the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hankerson scored two touchdowns. Originally behind Josh Morgan in the depth chart again, he was later made the second starting wide receiver opposite of Pierre Garçon due to his improved performance. The Redskins placed him on injured reserve on November 21, 2013, after he tore his left LCL and ACL in the Week 11 game against the Philadelphia Eagles

2014 season

Having spent all of training camp on the PUP list, it was confirmed that Hankerson would remain by the start of the 2014 season on August 30, 2014. On November 4, the Redskins placed him on the active roster.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons signed Hankerson to a one-year deal on March 11, 2015. On December 4, 2015, Hankerson was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve due to his struggles with hamstring injuries. On December 15 he was released from injured reserve, making him a free agent.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots claimed Hankerson off waivers on December 16, 2015. Hankerson played in one game before being waived on December 26.

Buffalo Bills

2015 season

The Buffalo Bills claimed Hankerson off waivers on December 28, 2015.

2016 season

On March 24, 2016, the Bills re-signed Hankerson on a one-year contract.

On August 15, 2016, Hankerson was released by the Bills, following a poor showing in the team's first preseason game in which he dropped most of the passes thrown at him.

Coaching career

UMass

Hankerson joined Mark Whipple's UMass football staff as an offensive graduate assistant in July 2017 and earned a promotion into the role of wide receivers coach for the 2018-19 school year.

Stephen F. Austin State

Hankerson was the outside wide receivers coach for Stephen F. Austin State University from 2019 through 2020.

San Francisco 49ers

On February 11, 2021, the San Francisco 49ers announced Hankerson's hiring as their new offensive quality control coach. This reunited him with head coach Kyle Shanahan, who he played under when Shanahan was the offensive coordinator of the Redskins and Falcons. Hankerson was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2022.

References

External links

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San Francisco 49ers bio

Miami Hurricanes bio
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hankerson, Leonard
1989 births
Living people
American football wide receivers
Miami Hurricanes football players
Players of American football from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Washington Redskins players
Atlanta Falcons players
New England Patriots players
Buffalo Bills players
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Florida) alumni
San Francisco 49ers coaches