2018 South Carolina QB Brayden Hawkins just Scratching Surface of Overall Talent

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Overused puns with double meanings are a big part of the sports vernacular for a reason – it helps paint the picture of said talent with an attempt to be witty and clever. A lot of adjectives like gifted, natural, hard-working, strong-armed, and athletic can be used to sum up the talents of Brayden Hawkins at this point in his high school career but the scary thing is – he is just coming into his own as an athlete.

Hawkins jumped firmly on recruiting boards across the country after a standout sophomore campaign with York High School. The 6’3”, 210 pound, pocket passer carved up opposing South Carolina defenses. Hawkins showed a firm grasp of the offense while displaying his growing knowledge of the game. Quick reads, scrambling to extend plays, and fitting the pigskin into tight windows were an every game occurrence for Hawkins in 2015. The result of his play and leadership helped guide York to an 8-4 mark last season.

The maturation process for Hawkins is ahead of the curve. With help from quarterback coaching gurus like Steve Clarkson, along with his play on the field, teams like UCLA, West Virginia, Texas A&M, Florida, Michigan, and Georgia are already showing interest. The spring evaluation period is over jumping quickly to the one-day college camp circuit. A heavy upcoming camp schedule is sure to reaffirm all the thoughts of college coaches into hardline believers on Hawkins.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Hawkins before he kicks off his camp circuit going over his play on the field, offseason workouts, got an inside scoop on his other athletic talents, and covered his recruitment to date.

Interview

Brayden, you looked really comfortable out there zipping the ball around with York. What were some of the things you learned during your sophomore year that will help you fine-tune your craft going forward?

“I had to learn more about the defensive side of the ball – all the coverages. The speed of the game was something else I had to pick up on, but I got there quick.”

York runs the spread offense right?

“Yes.”

Are you guys adding any under the center plays in 2016 or staying entirely in the spread going forward?

“I’m trying to get them to change that to go under center more. I have to do it at camps. It would be a fun change instead of being in the gun all the time but I’m happy either way.”

Which game last year was your best and why do you consider that your best game?

“I’d say our regular season game against Nation Ford (won 42-28). Everything felt right that game. Everything slowed down and I clicked with my receivers. I was on that game.”

What are you working on throughout the offseason for your junior year?

“I’m working on footwork and learning more of the defensive side of the game so I know more about what they are trying to do to stop us. I’m working on getting my timing with my receivers right now.”

From a technical standpoint, what are some of the things you do well as a quarterback right now?

“Reading defenses, making plays from the pocket, and I can get yards on the ground if I need to. I will run to pick up yards if I need to run but I like making plays in the pocket.”

Your answer rolls nicely into my next question, will your role within the offense expand any next season? Will we see you run the ball more?

“As of right now, I don’t see my role changing. They do want me to make more plays with my feet if I can. I’ll do that. My role will change a little bit more within the game, the coaches let me call plays and change them at the line depending on what the defense is doing.”

That should really help you grow as a quarterback. No wonder why you are spending so much time reading defenses in the offseason.

“Yes sir.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“I want to try to lead my team to the state championship.”

Which schools are showing heavy interest in you right now?

“Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, West Virginia, and UCLA.”

What about South Carolina and Clemson, are they showing any interest?

“They are but not as much as the other schools.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes sir. During the season last year I went to Clemson twice, UCLA twice, N.C. State, USC, Kansas, East Carolina, South Carolina and I think that is about it.”

Wow. That’s a lot. Which college camps do you plan on attending this summer?

“I’m going to Toledo this weekend, next week I’m going to Texas A&M (June 8), then to Georgia (June 14), Florida (June 20-21), N.C. State, and then West Virginia. I’m going to all the schools that are showing strong interest and a couple more.”

When you go to the various camps, what are you seeking to learn as a recruit during your visits to the campuses or time with the coaches?

“I want to find out where I can see myself at for four years. I want to see which school will be the best fit for me.”

You just wrapped up a quarterback camp with Steve Clarkson in San Diego. How did that go?

“That went really well. I had a lot of fun.”

What were some of the things you worked on during the camp?

“I was polishing my mechanics – a lot of stuff like that.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Science and psychology.”

How are things going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.85 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No sir.”

Do you play any other sports for York?

“Yes sir. I play golf.”

What is your handicap?

“I’m at a 0.2, almost a scratch golfer.”

Impressive. Are you getting any looks from colleges to play golf yet?

“No sir, but I’m hoping to find a place that will let me play both. I want to play both if I can.”

That would be a unique story that will get a lot of attention at the next level. Back to football, is there a next level player you enjoy watching play the quarterback position?

“Josh Rosen (UCLA). I like him because he is a pocket passer and I like how he uses more of the mental side of the game. He outsmarts the defense to make plays.”

Last question. What is your favorite part about playing quarterback?

“I like playing quarterback because you are the leader on the team and the team looks to you to make plays. The quarterback is in control the game – I like that.”

Brayden, thanks for your time today and good luck at all the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: qbhitlist.com; No. 18 Brayden Hawkins on the field.

Photo credit: Hawkins family; Brayden Hawkins at a Steve Clarkson camp.

Photo credit: Hawkins family; Brayden Hawkins at a quarterback camp.