Career Timeline of Nate Hobbs: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 10, 2026

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. 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.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: First Illinois Cornerback drafted to NFL since 2010

In 2010, before Nate Hobbs was drafted in 2021, it was the last time an Illinois cornerback was drafted into the NFL.

December 23, 2016: Commitment to Illinois

On December 23, 2016, Nate Hobbs, a three-star recruit, committed to play football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

2018: Beginning of Illinois Defensive Backs Era

In 2018, Nate Hobbs was the first of five defensive backs to be drafted from the University of Illinois secondary, spanning from 2018 to 2020.

2020: Hobbs surpasses Arnette on depth chart

During training camp, Nate Hobbs surpassed Damon Arnette, the 2020 first-round pick, on the depth chart and was named the third cornerback behind Casey Hayward and Trayvon Mullen.

2020: Beginning of Illinois Defensive Backs Era

In 2020, Nate Hobbs was the first of five defensive backs to be drafted from the University of Illinois secondary, spanning from 2018 to 2020.

May 17, 2021: Signing with the Las Vegas Raiders

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

September 13, 2021: Regular Season Debut

On September 13, 2021, Nate Hobbs made his professional regular season debut and recorded 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 off a pass from Taylor Heinicke to Terry McLaurin during a loss against the Washington Football Team.

2021: Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders

In 2021, Nate Hobbs was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round of the NFL draft as the 24th cornerback drafted.

2021: Raiders Finish Second in AFC West

In the 2021 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders finished 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 and recorded eight combined tackles and one pass deflection during a loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wildcard Game.

January 31, 2022: Named Starting Cornerback

On January 31, 2022, after the Las Vegas Raiders hired Josh McDaniels as head coach and Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator, Hobbs was named as one of the starting cornerbacks along with Rock Ya-Sin.

2022: Draft of Kerby Joseph

In 2022, Kerby Joseph, a fellow cornerback from Illinois' secondary, was drafted into the NFL.

September 10, 2023: Season-High Tackles

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

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.

2023: Draft of Witherspoon, Martin, and Brown

In 2023, Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, and Sydney Brown were drafted into the NFL following Nate Hobbs and Kerby Joseph.

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 to the Los Angeles Rams.