Jermaine Hopkins’ life may have been cut tragically short, but his spirit has lived in every Youngstown State football player past, present and will continue on in the future.
Hopkins had an outstanding career as a defensive end for YSU from 1992 through 1995. He was a full-time starter his junior and senior years after seeing time as a reserve his first two seasons. However, on Jan. 28, 1996, Hopkins was killed just two months after a standout collegiate football career ended and just before a productive post-college life could be started.
More than nine years following his death, he is not far from the program.
His locker is still on display in the football locker room and no Penguin player will ever wear his No. 58 jersey again. The number was retired in Hopkins’ honor on August 29, 1996.
In his four-year playing career, he recorded 144 total tackles, 88 solo stops, 22 sacks for 157 yards in losses, 16 pass breakups and six fumbles caused. His 22 career sacks are a school record.
He was a member of the 1993 and 1994 Division I-AA National Championship teams and was part of the 1992 team that reached the title game.
As a senior, he was a team captain and finished with 49 total tackles, including 33 solos. He had 12 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and three sacks. He along with fellow inductee Leon Jones, were named Walter Camp All-Americans following the season. Hopkins was also a third-team All-America selection by The Associated Press and the Sports Network. He was also named YSU’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
His junior campaign was one of the most impressive defensive efforts in school history. He recorded 66 total tackles, including 38 solo stops. He was credited with 15 sacks for 105 yards in losses, had eight other tackles for losses, finished with 11 pass breakups and forced four fumbles, recovering one.
YSU finished the campaign with a 14-0-1 record and beat Boise State 28-14 in the National Championship game.
As a freshman and sophomore, Hopkins worked to find time in a lineup that was stocked with talent. Those two years he combined to make 29 tackles, record four sacks and breakup three passes.
In 1993, Youngstown State beat Marshall 17-5 in the national title game a year after losing to the Thundering Herd in the 1992 championship game.
A native of Miami, Fla., Hopkins was majoring in the Individual Curriculum Program at Youngstown State. He graduated from American High School before joining the YSU program in the fall of 1992.
He was born July 30, 1974 and passed away at the age of 21. He was survived by his parents Frank and Martha Hopkins.
