2025 NFL Draft interview: San Jose State WR Justin Lockhart

WCG’s lead draft analyst speaks with one half of San Jose State’s superstar receiver duo.

Coming off a strong 2024 campaign, San Jose State wide receiver Justin Lockhart is excited to carry his momentum into the NFL.

With the Spartans finishing fifth in the FBS in passing yards per game, Lockhart played a major role. He finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards, and he led the Mountain West in yards per reception in 2024.

Windy City Gridiron spoke with Lockhart about the dynamic San Jose State passing attack, his approach as a route-runner, growing up with Shaquille O’Neal as his godfather, and more.

JI: This year was super productive for you, and for San Jose State’s passing attack in general. What went into this past season, especially coming off your injury in 2023?

JL: I feel like my offseason — recovery from my injury, the rehab, getting the strength back, making sure my routes were still where they’re supposed to be — was the most important thing for me having the stats I had this year. I know a lot of people coming off an injury, they’re not the same, or they may have a production drop-off. I didn’t want that to happen to me, and so I feel like focusing on my offseason training, getting the right space, mentally and physically, was the most important thing.

JI: You have the size and the deep speed, but you also have good burst coming out of your breaks. That’s tougher for some other tall receivers, how do you neutralize that?

JL: Honestly, I’m just focused on my arm drive in and out of my routes. It’s probably my main tip I can give for that. Other than that, it’s just working on getting in and out your routes in the offseason. My coaches have always — I’ve had three receiver coaches throughout college — and the focal point of all of them have been me getting in and out my breaks. It’s the difference maker in me being a good college player and potentially making it to the NFL. They’ve always emphasized that to me, so it’s always been something I’ve been trying to focus on.

JI: You started at Nevada; what went into your decision to to make the jump over to San Jose State?

JL: So that 2020 season at Nevada, my receiver coach from Nevada had left and went to San Jose State. I played the 2021 season at Nevada, and then, after that, I entered the portal and decided to go to San Jose State with him.

JI: You and Nick Nash put up great numbers for the Spartans this year. What’s it like from a weekly perspective as two guys working together preparing for the NFL?

JL: Nick definitely made my life a lot easier. I feel like he probably could say the same thing. We definitely help each other out. Just us being on the field at...