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Name: Brad Hawkins
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 221 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Safety
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #2
Last year: I ranked Hawkins #7 and said he would be a starting safety (LINK). He started all six games and made 39 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 78
There have been some jokes made this off-season about how old Brad Hawkins is. He originally committed in the 2016 class, ended up going to prep school, signed with Michigan again in 2017, and is now going into his fifth college season. For a little perspective, he first signed with Michigan in the same class as Kingston Davis and Rashan Gary. You probably don't remember the first guy, and the second guy is going into his third NFL season.
As for Hawkins on the field, he has been serviceable. But for a guy who has played in 42 career games and started 17, his total of 4 pass breakups, 0 interceptions, 0 fumbles forced, and 0 fumble recoveries is a bit frustrating. I expect safeties to get their hands on the ball more than that. He's the type of guy who allows a guy to make a catch and is immediately there to tackle, which is fine, but Michigan needs more than "fine."
Normally I would put a third-year starter higher on this list, but Michigan seems to really like sophomore Makari Paige and redshirt freshman R.J. Moten. Moten in particular seems to be a dark horse candidate to make an impact this season, if practice rumblings are to be trusted. Paige played quite a bit last season but didn't really make any flash plays. Hawkins should have a solid season and will probably be honorable mention all-conference.
Prediction: Starting safety; 60 tackles
Because we have so many unknowns, and our Corners were so bad last year, I'm glad we have Hawkins back. Beside that though, I agree: we need much more than boring, and could really use a playmaker
ReplyDeleteBTW, Hawkins changed his jersey# to 2
I thoight he looked great at WR in high school. I hope he gets drafted.
ReplyDeleteMoten is physical. And both McDonald and Clink said they like physical play at DB. I saw Moren interviewed a couple days ago. I like him.
Underrated IMO. Proven player that PFF gave all conference honors to. Paige is going to play anyway and Moten is entirely unproven. I couldn't care less how many fumble stats he got.
ReplyDeleteWe need him bad.