There was a time, not all that long ago, when DeAndre Hopkins was viewed as one of the NFL’s best receivers. It’s why he became a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
But the 34-year-old’s playing days appear to be done, and now he’s ready to take what he’s learned and share it with other young aspiring football players.
Football World Reacts to DeAndre Hopkins’ Next Move
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Hopkins has agreed to take a college football coaching position at Georgia Tech. He’ll get to reconnect with the Yellowjackets’ offensive coordinator, George Godsey, whom Hopkins played for with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
While Hopkins appeared in all 17 games with the Baltimore Ravens last season, he finished with a career-low 330 receiving yards. That may have propelled him to try coaching instead. Now, as Yahoo Sports reports, Hopkins is taking his talent to Georgia Tech.
“Georgia Tech is expected to add former NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as a member of its offensive staff, per CBS Sports’ @mzenitz and @chris_hummer. Hopkins is a free agent after playing for the Ravens last season and has not officially announced his retirement.”
Georgia Tech is expected to add former NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as a member of its offensive staff, per CBS Sports’ @mzenitz and @chris_hummer.
Hopkins is a free agent after playing for the Ravens last season and has not officially announced his retirement. pic.twitter.com/TGJY9LZADp
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 31, 2026
Hopkins had recently been seen at the New England Patriots’ training camp, where he was offering insight as a coaching intern. But now that he’s landed an official position on Georgia Tech’s offensive staff, social media is excited for what’s next.
“WowđŸ˜đŸ˜đŸ˜đŸ˜,” wrote Colorado Buffaloes fan ‘Gucce’ on X.
WowđŸ˜đŸ˜đŸ˜đŸ˜ https://t.co/UctTT1SwWk
— GUCCE (@gucceCU) July 31, 2026
One Georgia Tech fan kept it simple, saying, “I LIKE THIS.”
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Another Tech fan joked that the team should try to “sneak him [Hopkins] out there in a GT jersey in the 4th quarter…they’ll never know. In all seriousness, this is awesome.”
Sneak him out there in a GT jersey in the 4th quarter…they’ll never know
In all seriousness, this is awesome https://t.co/31fE8DSP4V
— georgia tech pain account (@GTPAINN) July 31, 2026
College teams don’t often get the opportunity to add an all-time great like Hopkins. Atlanta sports reporter Miles Garrett (no, not Myles from the Rams) noted how landing Hopkins would be a significant addition.
“What a potential add for Georgia Tech and Brent Key đŸ‘€,” Garrett wrote on X.
What a potential add for Georgia Tech and Brent Key đŸ‘€ https://t.co/2Faq89RfIP
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) July 31, 2026
Another college football fan was quick to point out that Hopkins will be on the opposite sideline of Deion Sanders’ Colorado football team in Week 1, when they play Georgia Tech.
“DeAndre Hopkins will be on the opposite sideline to the Buffs in Week 1,” Matt Smith wrote on X.
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One commenter, skimming through X, even thought Hopkins was headed back to college as a player to capitalize on the NIL money athletes now earn.
He wrote, “Not gonna lie my brain just assumed this was saying Georgia Tech added him to the WR Room. That’s where College Sports are these days.”
Not gonna lie my brain just assumed this was saying Georgia Tech added him to the WR Room.
That’s where College Sports are at these days https://t.co/5GgnVy3ZV6
— Grayson Boone (@gboone_) July 31, 2026
There’s no telling how much Hopkins will enjoy his new job. Yet, by getting involved right after he wrapped up his playing career, everything he’s practiced and learned should still be fresh on his mind.
Now he can lean on his 13 seasons of NFL experience to help fellow receivers who grew up watching Hopkins play.
Chances are, many players he encounters won’t have as much natural talent as Hopkins did as a four-star recruit, but he might be able to lean on his experiences to help make them an even better prospect than he was.
A player that he coached developing into an even better prospect than him would be impressive, considering Hopkins himself was the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Yet, recruits could naturally be drawn to Georgia Tech now, knowing they’d get a chance to learn from a player who ranks 18th all-time among NFL career leaders in receiving yards with 13,295. His presence alone could become a recruiting tool that works in Georgia Tech’s favor, though he’ll also have to prove his worth as a coach, too.
