Throughout his career at every level of football, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has received immense acclaim. Doing anything less is disrespectful. He’s now one of the savvy veterans at his position, but even after losing a step, he’s still two steps ahead of many of the top players in the game.

Born in Clemson, South Carolina, he attended Clemson University. Before that, he ran track and played both football and basketball during his prep days at D.W. Daniel High School. His mother nicknamed him “Nuk,” a nickname made famous by the Tigers’ faithful. Every time he touched the football, ‘Nuke’ cheers would erupt all over Death Valley.

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A 2012 First-team All-ACC honoree, he also earned Second-Team All-American honors. He landed on the Pro Football Writers Association’s 2013 All-Rookie Team. He’s been named a Pro Bowler on five different occasions.

He earned All-Pro nods five times. Twice, he was a Second-Team mention. He graced the First Team three times. EA Sports added him to the 99 Club on its Madden NFL game in 2019.

Still, with all that being said, he has never earned a better compliment than the one given to him by Chuck Pagano following a Tuesday summer practice. The Ravens are busy preparing for the Buffalo Bills, but their secondary coach and senior defensive assistant took some time to discuss one of the players on the opposing team.

Seriously, what can be said to top that? Here’s an attempt. No lies were told there. How does that sound?

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Coach Pagano and Hopkins enter the 2025-26 season traveling on the same boat. They hope to raise a Lombardi Trophy, as this would be the first for both of them.

Pagano has some experience in dealing with legends. In his first stint with the Ravens, he helped coach Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Terrell Suggs. He’s seen his share of talent during his days pacing an NFL sideline. So, if he can make such a bold claim about Hopkins, we’d have to say we believe him. Who are we to argue with this level of NFL acumen?

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Chuck Pagano gives DeAndre Hopkins the most elite praise imaginable