Hawkins gains interest

Rosa Fort (Miss.) native Donald Hawkins is well-accustomed to the recruiting scene and the offensive lineman collected a couple of offers during his prep career. Now about to enter his sophomore campaign at Northwest (Miss.) Community College, Hawkins is drawing even more interest from big-time programs.

"Things have gone well the second time around," said the 6-foot-5 and 320-pound offensive tackle. "As you know, Mississippi State and Oklahoma State. Then last month I got offers from Kentucky and Memphis. I really like their coaches and I really like Coach Mike Summers from Kentucky.

"There were also a few more O-line coaches come by this spring like Jeff Grimes from Auburn and then coaches from Tennessee and Georgia. Those three schools are showing me interest now and so is Ole Miss. Ole Miss has stopped by this spring and I like hearing from them."

Concerning his first two offers, Hawkins said he remains in consistent contact with MSU and Oklahoma State, and plans to visit the Cowboys' program in the near future.

"Things are going well with Mississippi State and Oklahoma State," said Hawkins. "I talk to them every week and I am going to see Oklahoma State the first week of June. I also plan to see Kentucky and Auburn, too, this summer but I haven't set those dates yet. I have already seen Mississippi State a whole lot so I am not sure if I will have to visit them again."

Also offered by Mississippi State in high school, Hawkins said the Bulldogs' offer is largely connected with his ability to graduate in December and enroll in January of 2012.

"Mississippi State mainly talks about academics with me and about getting out in December to make their offer count," said Hawkins. "I am taking 17 hours this summer, which includes an on-line class I have set up for the second session. I just got my transcripts for my first year of junior college and compared it to this coming year. With my hours this summer, I will just need 12 more this fall to get out in December."

And if academic progress takes place this summer, Hawkins expects more schools to jump in the mix. Then in the fall, Hawkins plans to take some official visits to help clear up his recruitment.

"I think when teams find out I will be a December graduate that I could get more interest and more offers," said Hawkins. "Schools like Ole Miss have already talked about that situation.

"This fall, I will take some official visits and then probably decide after those official visits. I have to make sure it's the right decision and that I find the right school for me."