4-star QB Hawkins enjoying communication with Arkansas

ALLEN, Texas — ESPN 4-star junior quarterback Michael Hawkins, who visited Arkansas twice this summer time, likes how the Razorbacks are staying in contact with him.

He visited Fayetteville in June and once more on July 30 for the Tailgate on the Hill gathering that featured quite a few Arkansas commitments and a few 2024 and 2025 prospects. 

“It’s been nice ever since I acquired up there for camp and threw in entrance of Coach (Kendal) Briles and Coach (Sam) Pittman and the employees,” Hawkins mentioned. “Our relationship has gotten method higher.” 

Hawkins, 6-2, 185 kilos, of Allen, Texas, has 10 gives from faculties comparable to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Alabama, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. 

Pittman, Briles and assistant quarterbacks coach Mark Cala have made common contact since faculty coaches have been capable of attain out on to junior recruits Sept. 1. 

“It’s been nice,” Hawkins mentioned. “I discuss to Coach Briles virtually thrice every week. He’s an important man. I discuss to Coach Cala, too. Coach Pittman hits me about as soon as every week, so it’s fairly good.” 

He additionally visited Oklahoma, Miami, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU and Alabama over the summer time. Pittman’s communication isn’t the norm for head coaches, Hawkins mentioned.

“They actually don’t attain out as a lot as Coach Pittman does. Some do, however some don’t,” he added. 

Hawkins was capable of meet Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson throughout the June camp. 

“He was a extremely cool man,” he mentioned. “He’s not as massive in individual as he’s on TV.”

His father Mike performed cornerback at Oklahoma earlier than being drafted within the fifth spherical by the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the 2005 NFL Draft. He additionally performed for Cleveland.

Hawkins accomplished 161 of 249 passes for two,807 yards and 21 touchdowns towards 5 interceptions as a sophomore. He additionally rushed for 730 yards and eight touchdowns on 104 carries.

Hawkins was named the District 5-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Yr. 

ESPN additionally charges him the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback and No. 190 general recruit within the nation within the 2024 class. 

Allen coach Lee Wiginton mentioned Hawkins is passionate concerning the recreation and pushing his teammates to be the very best they are often. 

“He’s an intense competitor, an exceptional playmaker,” Wiginton mentioned. “Many occasions after we’re in third down, I’m hoping issues break down as a result of understanding when he will get on the market and is ready to simply unfold the sphere, he’s both going to be making nice choices together with his arm or hurting the protection together with his legs. He finds methods to make massive performs if you want it essentially the most.” 

Hawkins’ first journey to Fayetteville shocked him. 

“Simply coming off of that first camp, it actually shocked me how their facility is,” Hawkins mentioned. “I didn’t count on it to look that good.” 

It seems he might watch Arkansas the following two weekends. 

“I feel I’m going to the Texas A&M-Arkansas recreation and I feel I’m going to go to the Arkansas-Alabama recreation, too,” Hawkins mentioned. 

If he attends the Texas A&M recreation, he would have to take action as a visitor of the Aggies since they’re the house crew in Saturday’s recreation in Arlington, Texas. 

Hawkins is seeking to go to Oklahoma this season, however he’s not sure on different journeys. 

“I wish to hit up an OU recreation, for positive, after which I actually don’t know. I haven’t found out my schedule,” he mentioned. 

His brother Maliek Hawkins is a sophomore cornerback prospect with a suggestion from Arkansas. 

The Razorbacks look to be in place with Hawkins. 

“They’re up there in my prime checklist proper now,” Hawkins mentioned. “I feel they’ll keep up there so long as they recruit me actually arduous and we hold our relationship tight.”