Hawkins planning future

During the spring period, Northwest (Miss.) Community College offensive lineman Donald Hawkins took a pair of nearby unofficial visits to Mississippi State and Ole Miss. This summer, the 6-foot-5 and 320-pound rising sophomore has ventured further out with his visits.

"I went to Stillwater, Okla., to visit Oklahoma State the first week of June," said the former Rosa Fort (Miss.) standout. "I loved it and everything was nice. We mainly talked about the recruiting process and about their program and academics."

Oklahoma State is one of four schools that have already offered Hawkins. Mississippi State, Kentucky and Southern Miss have also given Hawkins verbal offers and those four schools, said Hawkins, are the main group he stays in contact with these days.

"Summer is obviously not over with and a lot of schools are calling here and there," said Hawkins. "I haven't scheduled any other visits yet for the rest of the summer. But I am mainly hearing from the four schools that offered me and that is who I talk with the most. Of late, Kansas State has been talking to me, though, and that is the newest one."

While Hawkins has maintained a busy schedule with recruiting, he is also remaining focused in the class room to ensure his Division I career starts in January of 2012.

"We just finished the first summer term on Thursday," said Hawkins. "And right now things look very positive to graduate in December. I am also going to second term of summer school to make sure I get all of my hours in this summer."

During his high school career, Hawkins also had an offer from Mississippi State but had to take a detour to junior college. But he noted their is still a good bond there with the Bulldog coaches.

"Mississippi State still tells me I am high on their board and that they can't wait to get me down there," said Hawkins. "They just want to make sure I can graduate in December and they want to see how I do in summer school. I still have a good bond with them and I talk to coach Angelo Mirando a good bit and almost every day. So things are still good with them."

And with Hawkins expecting to graduate from Northwest in December, his college decision likely comes in the late fall period preceded by his official visits.

"Right now I am thinking about deciding late in the fall," said Hawkins. "So I may take some official visits during late summer or later in the fall. I do want to take one of those official visits to go and see Kentucky.

"And I am just looking at playing time and the fact I want to be coached by the best coaches. Those are the main things I am looking at."