Exclusive Interview: Palm Springs CB/WR Tayler Hawkins Announces Top 5
Written by Ryan Wright
In a town long known as a getaway for the Hollywood elite rests one of the best players in the state of California and arguably one of the most versatile athletes in the nation, Tayler Hawkins.
Recruits like Hawkins are why the categorization of athlete or “ATH” has become so widely used when talking about a player that could easily play multiple positions at the next level. The Palm Springs area native lined up at running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and safety. He also returned kicks and punts. As if he is not already doing enough, he will be adding the role of punter throughout his upcoming senior season.
When the 2014 season concluded the 6’0”, 180 pound, talent had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. He exploded onto the recruiting scene after pulling down 42 receptions for 915 yards with 11 more touchdowns. On defense he had 78 tackles, 46 solo, one tackle for a loss, one sack, two interceptions, five pass deflections, and found a way to get in the end zone again picking up a fumble recovery taking it back for a touchdown.
On the way to the Indians 13-2 record that claimed a CIF Championship in a win over Serrano, Hawkins pushed his touchdown total up to 16 returning two punts and a kickoff back to the house for scores.
As one can imagine, the offers from top colleges have poured in along with interest from various schools. Hawkins has 10 reported scholarship offers coming from Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State, Nevada, San Diego State, San Jose State, Washington, Washington State, Wyoming, and UNLV. Teams showing interest include Arizona, Boise State, Cal, Fresno State, and USC. The offer total may have gone up some in the offseason but Hawkins bypassed all one-day college camps except for USC.
In a Recruiting News Guru interview, I caught up with Tayler in between two-a-day football practices to get some insight on the Indians’ upcoming season and received an exclusive reveal with the prized recruit naming his Top 5 programs.
Interview
Tayler, you had a breakout season in 2014 lining up all over the field and the Indians had a fantastic campaign going 13-2 in the process. Looking back what was the 2014 season like for you?
“It made me feel pretty good as a person. I felt like I had to prove myself a lot last season. I feel like I accomplished that. But going into next season I have set higher goals for myself. It was a good season but I want to have a great season this year.”
Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last year?
“I was All-League and All-CIF First Team.”
You just mentioned you have high goals set for yourself, what are some of those goals?
“I want 20 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and to repeat as CIF champions and win the state championship.”
What have you been doing in the offseason to attain those goals?
“During the offseason I play with a club 7-on-7 team called Ground Zero. I ran track too. When the offseason was over and football started again, I hit the weights really hard and I started doing footwork on my own and with some of my coaches.”
Which events do you participate in when you run track?
“I ran the 100 (meters), 200, and 4×100.”
What is your best 40-yard dash time?
“4.49.”
You have high goals of winning another CIF title and competing for a California state championship, how does Palm Springs look heading into the 2015 campaign?
“We look good. I think we’re better up front this year. Our linebackers are better this year. I think our coaches made some adjustments and solved all of our problems. I think we’ll be pretty stout this year.”
You lined up all over the field last year, where all will we see you play this year?
“I’ll play receiver, corner, safety, maybe a little bit of running back, and kick and punt returns. And I’m going to be our punter.”
Wow. You really will do a little bit of everything this year. How are you as a punter?
“I haven’t really punted that much. I punted in one game last year. I’m not sure because I’ve only really been doing it practice.”
Do you have a good leg? Are you booming them?
“Yeah but I kick them higher than I kick them further.”
Have you had a chance to look at the 2015 schedule yet and if so is there a game or two that you are excited to play this year?
“I’m excited to play our first game (Tahquitz Aug. 28 and Redlands Sept. 4) but definitely the game against La Quinta (Oct. 16). They’ve been talking a lot of trash so I just want to play against them too.”
Did you go to any college camps during the offseason?
“I just attended a USC camp.”
How did the USC camp go for you?
“It was a great camp. I thought it was the best camp I’ve been to in the past two years.”
Did you perform well at the camp?
“I thought I did pretty good overall. In one-on-ones I did my best because none of the kids caught balls off me. I was lining up at safety and corner that day. I thought I did better during second session of the day.”
Did you get a chance to talk to any of the USC coaches while you were at their camp?
“Coach (Keith) Heyward (defensive backs coach) asked me for my name and wanted to know what class I was in. I haven’t talked to them lately though.”
You have 10 really great offers, have you put out a list of your Top 5 or Top 3 yet?
“I think I have my Top 5 now, but it’s not in any order. My Top 5 is Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, and San Diego State.”
Have you gone on an unofficial visit to any of these schools yet?
“I’ve been to SDSU, that’s why they remain in my Top 5 but I’m still an open recruit. I plan on taking an unofficial visit to San Jose State too and the rest of my Top 5 schools.”
Have you set up official visit dates yet for your Top 5?
“No, but next time I talk to the coaches I’m planning on doing that.”
When you’ve talked to the different coaches during the recruiting process what are they telling you they like about your game?
“Some coaches like my athleticism, most of them do. Some coaches like me on both sides of the ball and in the return game.”
Which position do you want to play at the next level?
“I like playing corner or on the defensive side of the ball because I like to hit and I can make plays on the ball on defense more than I can on offense.”
Which schools are recruiting you to play corner?
“Arizona State and Colorado – it’s tough to answer because most schools are recruiting me as an athlete so I’m not sure which ones are recruiting me just for the defensive side of the ball. I’m not sure how that works.”
Do you have a decision date in mind for your verbal commitment?
“Hopefully before signing day and after all of my visits. I’ll sit down with my family and talk about it. Hopefully in January, I would say.”
When the time comes to announce where you will play your college ball, what will influence your final decision?
“Playing time for sure and their business program because I want to major in accounting.”
What has been your most memorable moment playing high school football so far?
“My most memorable moment – I’d say catching the 30-19 ball to get the first down in the CIF game winning drive against Serrano. I caught a fade for the first down.”
What is your favorite part of playing football?
“I get to hit people and not get in trouble.”
Photo credit: Tayler Hawkins; No. 2 Tayler Hawkins
Photo credit: thedesertsun.com; No. 2 Tayler Hawkins
Photo credit: rivals.com; Tayler at a one-day camp