Brad Hawkins, WR, 6-2, 205, Camden High School, Camden, NJ has been given the name “Big Play Brad” and his coach, Dwayne Savage says his talented gamebreaker lives up to that moniker.
“He’s going to make a play somewhere during the game,” Savage explained. “He’s primarily a wide receiver for us, but we use him at running back and we use him at quarterback just to get some things started sometimes.”
Savage has known Hawkins since the four-star prospect was in junior high school. He saw his star’s potential even then.
“I’ve known Brad since he was in seventh grade,” Savage said. “Since I’ve known him, even at the Pop Warner level, he always made big plays. This is something he’s always had the potential to do going all of the way back.”
Savage’s staff clocked Hawkins at somewhere around 4.4 in the forty. That’s an impressive time for any player but one that is also over 200 pounds as a junior becomes a nightmare for opposing teams.
“He’s kind of compact, so it’s very difficult to bring him down with one player,” Savage said. “He usually breaks the first tackle. When he’s a receiver and catches the ball, a lot of times guys will bounce off of him. He’s got the knack to go get the ball.”
Notre Dame recently offered Hawkins, joining a growing list of power programs in college football. In addition to the Irish, Michigan, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Florida and several others have thrown their hats into the ring. Even with all of his talent and versatility, Savage likes Hawkins as a receiver at the next level.
“Especially with the style of offense that Notre Dame has out there,” the coach said of what makes Hawkins a great fit at wide receiver for the Irish. “They run jet sweeps and things like that so wide receivers can get the ball in a variety of different ways like bubble. I think he fits that whole mold, go down the field and go get it.”
While his teammates and coaches call Hawkins “Big Game Brad” the talented wide receiver’s personality is quite a contrast to the nickname.
“He always puts his team first,” Savage shared. “Sometimes that can be to his detriment. Sometimes there are times in the game where you need him to take over and you have to tell him, ‘it’s time to take over.’ He likes to share the spotlight. He likes everybody to shine.”
Savage is providing some very good advice when it comes to helping Hawkins make his college decision.
“What I explained to him is he has to look at the coaching staff to see where they’re at and make sure they’re going to be there his whole four years,” Savage reported. “He has to look at the academics and make sure they have the major he wants. The other aspect is the atmosphere of the school and how he fits in with the football program and how they’re going to take care of him.”
