Hawkins high on hometown Knights
Coming up through the Pop Warner system, Cocoa (Fla.) athlete Javian Hawkins picked up the nickname "Playstation."
Why Playstation? As a former opposing coach put it, Hawkins played football like he was in a video game, making incredible moves in eluding would-be tacklers before sprinting down the field for touchdowns.
Now a rising senior, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound speedster is one of the most sought-after recruits on the Space Coast.
Last season Hawkins rushed for 788 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 509 yards and five more scores as he helped lead Cocoa to the Class 4A state championship. He runs the forty-yard dash in 4.3 seconds.
UCF offered in early May, joining the likes of Boston College, Missouri, Louisville, Syracuse, Temple, Cincinnati, UConn, East Carolina and FAU.
"I know UCF had been looking at me for a while," Hawkins said. "Coach (Scott) Frost had mentioned that they wanted to go down and see me. The wide receivers coach (Troy Walters) came to our spring practice and told Coach Frost that he was a big fan of me, so they called my coach the next morning to let him know they were offering me.
"I was really excited. It's home. It's in Florida, right here in the backyard. Not too far. I was real excited for the opportunity."
On Saturday, Hawkins returned to UCF for an unofficial visit.
"I've been going to UCF for a while, going to games," Hawkins said. "I know Latavius Murray's family and we'd go over there to watch him play. I went to the spring game recently, but this was my first real unofficial visit. They were having a 7-on-7 tournament and I kind of hung out, met with some coaches and talked to some players."
Hawkins said he met just about "everyone" on UCF's coaching staff, including Frost, offensive coordinator Troy Walters and other staff members.
"They were talking about how other schools want me, but UCF needs me," Hawkins said. "They've got a couple players who can take it to the house and it would be nice to add me to that group of guys."
It just so happens Hawkins spent the most time with UCF sophomore Adrian Killins Jr., who has a similar skill set.
"He gave me a lot of wise words," Hawkins said of his conversation with Killins. "I was talking to him throughout most of the day. He gave me a lot of advice about the process. The coaches said I would be used in the same way they use Killins and they could also see me running a lot more routes."
Before departing, Hawkins met again with Frost.
"He was busy with two camps, the 7-on-7 and offensive line/defensive line camp, so I didn't want to hold him up too long," Hawkins said. "We talked to him for about 10 minutes inside the facility, got to know each other better. Basically he was telling me about the school and the type of coach he is. I already knew for the most part. He talked about the offense. Great guy."
After the visit, what does Hawkins like most about UCF?
"I love being over there," he said. "I felt welcome the entire time I was there. I enjoyed meeting all the coaches and staff members. It was home, basically. One thing that really stood out is their graduation rate. They're very successful academically, top 10 nationally. Education is very important to me. I also like how they run their offense. It fits my style of play."
Hawkins will see several more schools soon as he'll be joining his 7-on-7 team on a bus tour that will include stops at South Carolina, NC State, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and Mercer.
Of the schools that have offered, Hawkins stated he is most interested in UCF, Louisville, Missouri, Temple, Georgia Southern, Boston College, UConn and Cincinnati.
As a December high school graduate with an intent to enroll at the school of his choice next January, Hawkins stated he hopes to make a commitment by the end of the summer as he doesn't want to be distracted during football season.
