The Wolverine

March 2017 Recruiting Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2017 THE WOLVERINE 51 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE MEASURABLES • Clocked a verified 4.82 40-yard dash. • Has a vertical jump of 30.4 inches and a 20-yard pro-agility shuttle of 4.33 seconds. STATISTICS • At Suffield Academy for a prep year, Hawkins had 51 receptions for 868 yards (17.0 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball five times for 15 yards. On defense, he made 10 total tackles and had one pass defended. Hawkins also had eight kickoff returns for 281 yards and a touchdown, and two punt returns for 37 yards. • During his senior campaign at Camden (N.J.) High, he had 41 catches for 544 yards (13.3 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. He also rushed 29 times for 124 yards and four scores, while on defense he posted 53 tackles, two interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The team lost in the South Group 3 state title game. • In 2014 as a junior, he posted 51 catches for 748 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and 11 scores, while rushing for 255 yards and two more scores. Defensively, he totaled 40 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, three interceptions and four special teams touchdowns. • Notched 45 catches for 805 yards (17.9 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns when he was just a sophomore. • Recorded eight career 100-yard receiving games in high school, including a career-best six-reception, 138-yard, two-TD effort vs. Cedar Creek in the 2013 playoffs. • Also had 75 career carries for 394 yards (5.3 yards per rush) and nine touchdowns. • Completed 7 of 14 passes for 112 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions during his prep career. • Made 139 career tackles, including 20 for loss, with three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and six interceptions, returning them for three touchdowns and 226 total yards. • Averaged 17.0 yards on 20 kickoff returns and 11.1 yards on 20 punt returns, scoring two punt return touchdowns. HONORS • Ranked the No. 13 player in New Jersey as a senior by NJ.com. • Selected first-team USA Today All-USA Connecticut for the 2016 season. • Named New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A All-New England. • Also named second-team all-state on offense and All-Group 3 first-team offense as a senior at Camden. • Named West Jersey Football League Player of the Year for 2015. ALL-STAR GAMES AND CAMPS • Participated in the 2016 Semper-Fidelis All-American Bowl. • Attended the Rivals Camp Series New Jersey in both 2014 and 2015. RECRUITMENT • Committed July 3, 2015. • Chose Michigan over South Carolina, Rut- gers and Temple but after qualification issues spent a year prepping at Suffield Academy. • At the time, he was joining teammate Ron Johnson, who committed to U-M June 25, 2016, as the second of five players from the state of New Jersey to declare for the Wolverines. NOTABLE • Born on July 26, 1998. • Helped Camden to a 28-5 record in three seasons on the varsity football team. • Nicknamed "Big Play Brad" during his time at Camden for his explosive-play ability. • Was the No. 53 wide receiver and No. 235 prospect overall nationally in the 2016 class. • Also played basketball during his career at Camden, averag- ing 12.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 87 games. • Recorded a 22.5-second 200-meter dash time and a 6-2 high jump during the 2015 outdoor track season. 2017 PROJECTION Hawkins has outstanding hands and has been noted for his work ethic, giving him a chance to earn his coaches' trust in fall camp. There are some open spots at wideout, but there's also a lot of young, unproven talent, including in Hawkins' class. If Hawkins works like he's been known to, can pick up the offense and shows a willingness to block, he could get onto the field. THEY SAID IT Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic Recruiting Analyst Adam Fried- man: "Hawkins is a well-rounded receiver. He runs solid routes and has very reliable hands. He's really improved his speed and athleticism, and is not afraid to go up and make tough catches where he might take a hit." Linebackers Coach Chris Partridge: "I love Brad — he's a kid who signed last year and then attended prep school for a year. He has a phenomenal tape from his prep school, and he was able to get bigger and stronger during that time. He is very fluid. I believe that he can play safety for us too — I kind of like him on that side of the ball. He's a phenomenal wide receiver as well. He has really good size and a good frame. He goes up and makes plays. "He was a really good basketball player in high school. He's at his best when the defender is close to him and trying to make a play. He has good speed and is another great young man. He's got a strong connection to Cesar Ruiz as well — they went to high school together, before Cesar went to IMG. They also grew up together, so that's a cool thing to see them reunite here. Ron Johnson is Brad's best friend from high school, so they are going to continue that family-like atmosphere when they come here." BRAD HAWKINS WIDE RECEIVER 6-2 • 205 SUFFIELD (CONN.) ACADEMY CAMDEN, N.J. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ (2016) 235 53 6 (N.J.) ✪ ✪ ✪ — — — ✪ ✪ ✪ — 65 3 (CONN.) ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ (2016) 193 26 6 (N.J.) RIVALS.COM MID-ATLANTIC RECRUITING ANALYST ADAM FRIEDMAN "Hawkins is a well-rounded re- ceiver. He runs solid routes and has very reliable hands." Last fall while prepping at Suffield (Conn.) Academy, Hawkins averaged 17 yards per catch and 35.1 yards per kickoff return. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM

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