As the Patriots settle into the spotlight ahead of Super Bowl 60, two of their rising defensive backs - Jaylinn Hawkins and Craig Woodson - are soaking up a moment that feels both surreal and deeply familiar. The former Cal safeties are back in the Bay Area, just miles from where their football journey began, and this week, they’re not just watching the big game - they’re part of it.
On Monday night, Hawkins and Woodson stepped up to the podium at the Patriots’ team hotel for a round of media availability. And while the setting may be different from their college days in Berkeley, the themes they touched on - growth, grit, and brotherhood - remain the same.
Craig Woodson, who’s turned heads with his steady rise in the Patriots’ secondary, credited former Cal Strength and Conditioning Coach Torre Becton for instilling a mindset that still drives him today.
“Torre said that you don't have to say what you are when you have opportunities to show what you are,” Woodson said. “That's something that stuck with me.
I'm not a guy that's going to talk a lot. I'm going to show it with the way I live and play football."
That quiet confidence has served Woodson well. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable - and in the Patriots’ system, that goes a long way.
Hawkins, meanwhile, reflected on his early days at Cal, where his football path wasn’t exactly set in stone. It took a pivotal decision - almost like a tryout - to confirm that he belonged on the defensive side of the ball. And once that was settled, he never looked back.
He also spoke about the special bond he shared with his uncle, Jeremiah Hawkins, during their time as Golden Bears. That family connection, paired with his own determination, helped shape the player he is today.
On Tuesday afternoon, former Patriots safety and current NBC Sports analyst Devin McCourty offered his perspective on the duo, drawing a direct line between their chemistry and the kind of partnership he once had with longtime teammate Patrick Chung.
“There’s a joy that Pat and I developed over being in New England - we bonded over the pressure,” McCourty said. “Craig and Jaylinn came from playing together in college and now being in the NFL together, you can see how much joy they have playing with each other. And I think that helps you play safety because you have to be on the same page.”
That on-field connection is no small thing. Safety play in today’s NFL demands communication, anticipation, and trust - and Hawkins and Woodson have shown all three.
McCourty acknowledged that there were questions during training camp about whether the two Cal alums would earn starting roles. But instead of letting that noise rattle them, they stayed the course - and it’s paid off.
Veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico also weighed in, highlighting how the Cal connection adds another layer to this Super Bowl storyline.
“They’ve become a good tandem and work well together, with that one year crossover as Sturdy Golden Bears,” Tirico said. “They know what they’re doing together and have clicked communication-wise. Good for them to come back to the Bay to play a Super Bowl - it’s even sweeter.”
There’s something poetic about returning to where it all started, especially when the stakes are this high. For Hawkins and Woodson, this week isn’t just about the game - it’s about legacy. It’s about proving that the lessons learned in Berkeley, the bonds forged in the Cal locker room, and the belief in their own path can carry them to the sport’s biggest stage.
And as the Bay Area buzzes with Super Bowl energy, the story of these two Golden Bears turned Patriots is one that fans - both in New England and back home in California - can rally behind.
More Cal connections will emerge as the week rolls on, with players from the Chiefs, Ravens, Titans, and Lions also representing the blue and gold. But for now, Hawkins and Woodson are front and center, showing the football world what it looks like when preparation meets opportunity - and when college teammates become NFL playmakers.