Career Timeline of Nate Hobbs: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Nate Hobbs made an impact.

Nate Hobbs is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. He was drafted by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of Illinois for the Fighting Illini. Hobbs is a relatively recent addition to the professional football scene.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: Last Illinois Cornerback Drafted Before Hobbs

In 2010, it marked the last time prior to Hobbs' drafting in 2021 that a cornerback from Illinois was drafted to play in the NFL.

2018: Illinois' Secondary Spanning

Starting in 2018, Hobbs was the first of five defensive backs drafted from Illinois' secondary spanning from 2018 to 2020.

2020: Illinois' Secondary Spanning

Ending in 2020, Hobbs was the first of five defensive backs drafted from Illinois' secondary spanning from 2018 to 2020.

2020: Damon Arnette First-Round Pick

In 2020, Damon Arnette was a first-round pick.

May 17, 2021: Hobbs Signed with Raiders

On May 17, 2021, Nate Hobbs signed a four-year, $3.78 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, including a signing bonus of $303,052.

September 13, 2021: Professional Debut

On September 13, 2021, Nate Hobbs made his professional regular season debut, recording two solo tackles in a 33-27 overtime win against the Baltimore Ravens.

December 5, 2021: First Career Interception

On December 5, 2021, Nate Hobbs recorded nine combined tackles and his first career interception, picking off a pass from Taylor Heinicke intended for Terry McLaurin, in the Raiders' 15-17 loss to the Washington Football Team.

2021: Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders

In 2021, Nate Hobbs was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round as the 167th overall pick. He was the first cornerback drafted from Illinois to play in the NFL since 2010.

2021: Raiders Finished Second in AFC West

The Las Vegas Raiders finished the 2021 NFL season second in the AFC West with a 10–7 record and clinched a Wildcard spot.

January 15, 2022: First Career Playoff Game

On January 15, 2022, Nate Hobbs started in his first career playoff game, recording eight combined tackles and one pass deflection during a 19–26 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wildcard Game.

January 31, 2022: Josh McDaniels Hired as Head Coach

On January 31, 2022, the Las Vegas Raiders hired Josh McDaniels, former New England Patriots' offensive coordinator, as their new head coach. Patrick Graham named Hobbs and Rock Ya-Sin as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.

2022: Kerby Joseph Drafted

In 2022, fellow Illinois cornerback Kerby Joseph was drafted following Hobbs in 2021.

September 10, 2023: Season-High Tackles

On September 10, 2023, Nate Hobbs started in the Las Vegas Raiders' season-opener against the Denver Broncos and collected a season-high 12 combined tackles during a 17–16 win.

October 31, 2023: Josh McDaniels Fired

On October 31, 2023, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels after falling to a 3–5 record, and linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was appointed as the interim head coach.

November 5, 2023: Interception Against Giants

On November 5, 2023, Nate Hobbs made seven combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Tommy DeVito to Darius Slayton as the Raiders defeated the New York Giants 30–6.

2023: Witherspoon, Martin, and Brown Drafted

In 2023, Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, and Sydney Brown, following Hobbs (2021) and Joseph (2022) from the same Illinois' secondary, were drafted into the NFL.

October 20, 2024: Interception Against Rams

On October 20, 2024, Nate Hobbs recorded six solo tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Matthew Stafford to Tutu Atwell as the Raiders lost 15–20 at the Los Angeles Rams.