He played college football at Ohio State, where he received All-American honors, and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Hankins eventually picked Ohio State over offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

As a true freshman, Hankins made the Buckeyes rotation and recorded 16 tackles (3 solo) plus a quarterback sack for the season.

By his sophomore year, Hankins managed to get his weight down to 330 and became a starter, registering 67 tackles (32 solo) and three sacks.

Even though Hankins only entered his junior season in 2012, he was projected to leave Ohio State early.

[7] In December 2012, Hankins announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility, entering the 2013 NFL Draft.

[11] After Linval Joseph left the Giants for the Minnesota Vikings, Hankins was expected to step into his role in 2014.

Known as a run stuffer, Hankins surprisingly showed flashes as a pass rusher recording 7 sacks, 6 quarterback hits and 21 hurries.

On November 8, 2015, Hankins tore his pectoral muscle during the second quarter of the week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

[15] On September 13, 2018, Hankins signed with the Oakland Raiders to replace an injured Justin Ellis.

On October 25, 2022, Hankins along with a 2024 seventh-round pick, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round draft choice (#204-Jarrick Bernard-Converse).