2013 Gator Commitment #10: WR Marqui Hawkins of Carver High School, Columbus GA

[deep_threat]

WR Marqui Hawkins 6-2 190 ****
Carver High School
Columbus, Georgia
5.14.2012 Commitment

**********

Dang! Big, PHYSICAL, plenty of speed, plays hard til the whistle, good hands. Can see why Champ was going after this guy hard. Not that it matters, but I expect him to be a 4 star by next ranking period. He's VERY good. Check it out.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/607209/highlights/10728376

Keep working, Marqui!

[deep_threat]

Sorry for starting a whole new thread but Hawkins deserves his own haha

[deep_threat]

This commitment was pretty random but this was the best surprise I've gotten in a while :)

[Ahab]

Looks like a good athlete with a nasty streak on the field. Could help our squad at several different positions.

[DieAGator]

Welcome to the Gator Nation Marqui.

Strange take imho considering we have two Safeties already.

[leogator]

Welcome to the Gator Nation Marqui.

Strange take imho considering we have two Safeties already.

He committed as a wide receiver.

[trustamerica]

Excellent post seems to offer a little Harvin with size. He will be a star on the field!

[StrangeGator]

Excellent post seems to offer a little Harvin with size. He will be a star on the field!

Quite a bit bigger than Harvin.

[Nicho]

He actually reminds me of Andrades.

[StrangeGator]

Reminds me of Jujuan Story's high school clips. Great athlete and a little more polished receiver at the same point.

[Bladerunner]

I like him, he just seems like a ball player

[kellgator]

Loved the blocks!

[deep_threat]

Loved the blocks!

Me too! At the 1:45 mark is ridiculous! No need to question if this guy is a take... one of the top receivers in Georgia and the nation imo

[lurkingator1]

FYI and not that it matters, but ESPN already rates him a 4 star

Hawkins, who is rated a four-star receiver by ESPN. “I love being a receiver because I can run good routes with my speed (4.53). So it made me feel great.”


http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120514/ARTICLES/120519766/0/sports

[deep_threat]

FYI and not that it matters, but ESPN already rates him a 4 star

Hawkins, who is rated a four-star receiver by ESPN. “I love being a receiver because I can run good routes with my speed (4.53). So it made me feel great.”

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120514/ARTICLES/120519766/0/sports

Thanks. Excited about this one!

[247brother]

This kid looks very good and polished making some nifty moves...

[Dreamliner]

Love these big receivers we're getting.

[thedyc09]

Not to be too much of a buzzkill but I'm worried about his ability to create separation against SEC dbs. Maybe he has a future at TE?

[DMann]

Marqui appears to be CWM's type of player. Physical, a nasty streak and loves contact. A few more like him won't hurt. Probably could play several positions and be a special teams warrior as well. Welcome to Gainesville Mr. Hawkins!

[Dreamliner]

Not to be too much of a buzzkill but I'm worried about his ability to create separation against SEC dbs. Maybe he has a future at TE?

Why, with 4.5 or better speed, would he have trouble getting separation ?

[DieAGator]

Me too! At the 1:45 mark is ridiculous! No need to question if this guy is a take... one of the top receivers in Georgia and the nation imo

Maybe there's a logjam at the top and hard for services to move him up much. But for some reason they don't have him ranked that high at WR(rivals). I think he looks good, maybe not blazing speed but probably fast enough. SEC a lot harder to run the WR screens. Very versatile player as well.

[deep_threat]

On Monday the University of Florida football coaching staff continued their strong run in the class of 2013 when they received a verbal commitment from Columbus (Ga.) Carver wide receiver Marqui Hawkins.

Hawkins said that his current high school coach helped him make the decision.

"He just kept putting it in my ear that Florida is the best school and I have liked them for a long time," Hawkins said of the Gators. "So I was just thinking that I should become a part of that family at Florida."

Originally the Gators offered Hawkins as a cornerback, but on Monday Hawkins said that he had made his commitment to suit up on the other side of the ball.

"They want me at receiver right now," said Hawkins. "They said that they know I can play defense also, but Coach [Will] Muschamp said he wants me at receiver. They changed that today when I came out and committed. Coach [Brian] White will be out there tomorrow to see me at practice."

Hawkins said he decided over the weekend that he wanted to wear the Orange and Blue and then went ahead and made it official on Monday.

"Me and my coach sat down yesterday (Sunday) and talked about it," explained Hawkins. "I just went ahead and told him (Muschamp) the good news (Monday), and he was real happy. He was like, 'Really Hawk?' and he was like screaming and said, 'Welcome to the Gator family.'"

At first, when he was offered as a cornerback, Hawkins was being mainly recruited by Florida defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson, but since UF started recruiting him for offense, he said he mainly deals with running backs coach Brian White.

Hawkins said he likes what he has heard from White.

"He has been talking about coming in and playing as a true freshman and that I could be a big factor to the team."

Besides Florida Hawkins has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ole Miss, Miss St, Ohio State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Southern Cal on each side of the ball. He has hinted before that schools offering on offense had a slight advantage, and that was huge in why he pulled the trigger for Florida.

"That was big in my pick," said Hawkins. "I wanted to play offense."

Hawkins also had planned to make the trip to Florida's spring game last month, but missed it due to travel problems. While he has yet to visit Gainesville, he said that is coming in the near future.

"I plan on visiting there in a couple weeks; I haven't really worked out what day or anything like that."

While Hawkins says that he is happy with his commitment to Florida, he still plans to look around.

"I still will look around; I also had my eye on Clemson, Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss," admitted Hawkins. "I don't know where, but this summer I plan on taking a lot of visits. I'm just very excited right now."


I hope his future visit solidifies the commitment a bit more.

[deep_threat]

Maybe there's a logjam at the top and hard for services to move him up much. But for some reason they don't have him ranked that high at WR(rivals). I think he looks good, maybe not blazing speed but probably fast enough. SEC a lot harder to run the WR screens. Very versatile player as well.

I just looked some stuff up and from the 2012 class (per rivals) there were 49 wide receivers that received a 4 star grade or higher. He is currently number 42 and if anything I see him jumping up quite a bit. So he should almost certainly be a 4 star by the time this cycle comes to an end. I know, I care way too much about stars. :joecool: But I would take this guy any day!

[DieAGator]

While Hawkins says that he is happy with his commitment to Florida, he still plans to look around.

"I still will look around; I also had my eye on Clemson, Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss," admitted Hawkins. "I don't know where, but this summer I plan on taking a lot of visits. I'm just very excited right now."

Oh great, these days I would say that's a pretty firm commitment. :nervous smile:

Anyone know if his coach has any ties to UF? If not, seems like he really wanted Marqui to just make the right decision, one he thought Marqui would be happy with.

I just looked some stuff up and from the 2012 class (per rivals) there were 49 wide receivers that received a 4 star grade or higher. He is currently number 42 and if anything I see him jumping up quite a bit. So he should almost certainly be a 4 star by the time this cycle comes to an end. I know, I care way too much about stars. :joecool: But I would take this guy any day!

On those WR screens it looked like he was a little slow. Perhaps that was due to the way his QB was getting the ball to him. I'll trust other opinions, especially coaches. Right now we just need some guys that can actually consistently open. But if he is an elite WR it will be reflected in his rank by end of season.

I do like how he catches, good hands, can make the stretch-catch and keep his rhythm.

[Gator_84_88]

Why, with 4.5 or better speed, would he have trouble getting separation ?

Exactly! With 4.5 speed you can bet he's faster in "field speed" or "football speed".

[trustamerica]

Did he have offers from Bama an UGA. Atlanta Journal says No! May be a cover for the Dawgs loosing another state athlete?

[G8RNTN]

Did he have offers from Bama an UGA. Atlanta Journal says No! May be a cover for the Dawgs loosing another state athlete?

SAID BAMA, TENN, USCw, ARKY AND S CAR...

[gymgator]

He will need to vastly improve his route running, but that is to be expected with HS WR.

But he is MUCH quicker than I expected him to be. Big tall guys that can run fast in a straight line and break a lot of tackles is not impressive in high school. But he plays quick, moves very well in traffic and accelerates quickly through the hole or around the edge.
His aggressive blocking is outstanding and rare for a HS player.

[trustamerica]

GATOR coaching will take this talent and make him a Star (5)

[thedyc09]

I was only questioning his (possible!) separation skills because his highlights were mostly WR screens against a 7 yard cushion or using his big-boy frame to make catches in traffic. The former means nothing, the latter is exciting, but neither indicate that he'll be able consistently separate on the outside, especially against the future NFL dbs he's going to be seeing at UF.

Seeing a WR that likes to give punishing blocks is very exciting. The fact that he has a big frame, rather than just being tall, is also exciting. All I'm saying is that those highlights show a good future WR, not an elite playmaker.

[RayGator]

Go Gators!

[Gatorrick22]

kid is going to surprise a lot of us Gator fans this next year. Look for him to make an immediate impact on the field this year.

Marqui Hawkins 6'2.5'' 212 lbs. 4.53 .

Here's tidbit I found on him.... in his own words.

Marqui Hawkins had an outstanding season at Columbus (GA) Carver along with the rest of his team.

“It went great,” Hawkins said of his senior year. “We made it to the third round and lost to Buford. I made first team All-Bi-City as a receiver. I had 41 catches for 800 yards with six touchdowns.”

Hawkins thinks he improved a few things along the way, but believes he needs to improve in some aspects.

“My route running got better. My blocking got better. I am more physical because I gained some weight and am at 6-2.5 and 212 pounds. I lift weights every day.

“I need to work on my route running and speed a little bit. I run track and have improved my form. I have my speed down to a 4.53, but want to work on it a little more.”


“Demarcus Robinson and I text each other all the time,” he said. “I wasn’t surprised because after we beat his team and he was committed to Clemson, he told me he was going to de-commit and come to Florida with me. It is great having another guy from Georgia now.”

Hawkins believes this freshmen-to-be group of receivers can do some special things at Florida and will get in the mix very early.

“No disrespect to the guys that are there already, but I think we can get there and play early and often,” he said.

[UGator]

We obviously need talented receivers, whether highly touted or not, to help Driskel next year. He held the ball too often, partly his fault, but also because we didn't have consistent production from our WR's who often times couldn't find a way to get open. They could have come back on routes more to give him more visual options. It's a two way street. Our OL was woeful at times which compounded the problems.

Coach Joker Phillips should have much more to work with than he had almost anywhere else he's been, although he's had some good talent at KY earlier in his career.

[Gatorrick22]

Yepper. With the (potentially great) new receivers coming in and Joker Philips to coach'em up I can't wait to the see them perform on the field next year.

[ametcalf]

I'm glad you posted this. Like you, I believe Hawkins is going to make an impact early.

[Gatorrick22]

I really do think he's going to make an immediate impact. He's big, fast and strong.... Can't wait to see him after spending time with Joker and Dillman.

Plus his attitude is what you want all the players to be like. For him, the more (good) receivers the better it is. Why? Because he's a team player and he sees the big picture more so than most kids his age.

[gymgator]

It is on them for sure. The opportunity will be there for those that take it.

[StrangeGator]

I think he'll be right behind Robinson among the freshmen WRs. I know everyone expects a lot from Fullwood, and he will deliver, but not as soon as these two. They are much further along. Heard some stories about Hawkins and Robinson going head to head in a game this past season. Both, especially Hawkins were great defenders.

I think Fullwood will emerge somewhere around his junior or redshirt sophomore season.

[Nicho]

I agree that Hawkins will have an impact before Fulwood, simply due to strength and physicality.

[rserina]

I still am not expecting much from this group until 2014. Hopefully Debose gets his head screwed on straight and Dunbar continues improving. If so, we will only need them in spots. Of all the kids, I expect Robinson to make the earliest contribution, partly because he is the best and partly because he has spring to pick up the offense.

[risktaker]

The coaches offered him VERY early. Thats a good sign to me.

[g8r925]

I also think Robinson will be the one to make the most impact as a freshman, but when I look at hawkin's I think we have a stud in the making. Kid has got good size and has some muscle packed on already, to be able to be physical with DB's at the line, and get off press. I think this group of receivers will be one of the best we have had in a long time. I think Robinson having the spring to get the offense down and get his feet under him is going to be would gold next yr for us.

[Gatuar]

Who has the elite speed ...Robinson?

[UFreak]

If we get one more receiver in this class, I truly believe two freshmen receivers will make an immediate impact in the fall.

[StrangeGator]

Who has the elite speed ...Robinson?

According to reported combine times, Thompson and Fullwood are the fastest, but Robinson's clips make me believe he's the guy that uses his speed the best on the field. He may have the best top gear.

[gator1986]

kid is going to surprise a lot of us Gator fans this next year. Look for him to make an immediate impact on the field this year.

Marqui Hawkins 6'2.5'' 212 lbs. 4.53 .

Here's tidbit I found on him.... in his own words.



He and Robinson will definitely make an immediate impact... But I will say people should watch out for Fulwood, and my personal favorite Bailey. Bailey might be a tad bit undersized, but he has great hands and can separate from corners and get deep, the receiving core will be deep for Florida in the coming years that's for sure.

[LoyalGatorFan]

Don't forget about Solomon Patton either...he was knocked out in the UGA game and I believe was our fastest WR on the team....very valuable on end arounds, reverses, streaks, etc....

[themistocles]

There are some excellent receiver prospects in this group, however, it is very rare for a Frosh WR to contribute very much to a team. A couple of historical examples were Reidel Anthony and Jabbar Gaffney, but Gaffney was a redshirt, not a true frosh.

Hopefully, the playbook will take some advantage of the WRs this year, who contributed an amazingly small amount to the team's passing attach (or perhaps I should call it - "passing defense," because that was really what it was).

[gatorev12]

Has the size to make an impact against physical SEC corners right away.

On an individual level (taking away the value of schemes, OL blocking, QB play, etc), WRs must find a way to get separation in order to be effective and there are two ways of doing this: 1.) speed or 2.) precise route running. Good corners can take away both by being physical and chipping you at the line of scrimmage or early in the route. Unless you have exceptional speed or route running ability, most freshman WRs struggle to deal with more experienced corners because they lack the physical development to deal with more physical college DBs. That's where I think Hawkins will be a bit ahead of the pace on the field since he won't be as affected by physical play due to his size.

[Lawdog88]

Has the size to make an impact against physical SEC corners right away.

On an individual level (taking away the value of schemes, OL blocking, QB play, etc), WRs must find a way to get separation in order to be effective and there are two ways of doing this: 1.) speed or 2.) precise route running. Good corners can take away both by being physical and chipping you at the line of scrimmage or early in the route. Unless you have exceptional speed or route running ability, most freshman WRs struggle to deal with more experienced corners because they lack the physical development to deal with more physical college DBs. That's where I think Hawkins will be a bit ahead of the pace on the field since he won't be as affected by physical play due to his size.


That is certainly true, and to qualify just a little, I think in either the precise route running category or the true speed category, the "moves" aspect comes in. We have got to have guys who know how to "sell a fake," to open up either. I really haven't seen any of that lately, but I haven't attended games in personally seen how the routes are run, and whether "moves" are involved.

TV doesn't let you see all of that, but what I have seen, there isn't much.

[gator1986]

Don't forget about Solomon Patton either...he was knocked out in the UGA game and I believe was our fastest WR on the team....very valuable on end arounds, reverses, streaks, etc....

Think he's a 4.4 guy, and debose is actually the quickest believe or not... Just not quickest up in his head.

[Gatorrick22]

I also think Robinson will be the one to make the most impact as a freshman, but when I look at hawkin's I think we have a stud in the making. Kid has got good size and has some muscle packed on already, to be able to be physical with DB's at the line, and get off press. I think this group of receivers will be one of the best we have had in a long time. I think Robinson having the spring to get the offense down and get his feet under him is going to be would gold next yr for us.

I have a feeling we'll all be presently surprised about just how well all the freshman perform this upcoming season.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

Just get James Clark. He's an amazing talent, and I think he might be the most talented receiver I've seen that we're in on. I still don't know how the recruiting services haven't figured out how good that kid is.

It's already a great group, and Clark would put it over the top.

[StrangeGator]

Just get James Clark. He's an amazing talent, and I think he might be the most talented receiver I've seen that we're in on. I still don't know how the recruiting services haven't figured out how good that kid is.

It's already a great group, and Clark would put it over the top.

I hope we get him and I hope you're right, but I see him more as a guy who will evolve as the offense evolves. It might take a couple of years for him to establish a significant role in the offense and be the big play guy we need. Just haven't seen a small fast guy make a big difference at UF in a few years. Amari Cooper is the prototype in the SEC right now.

[Nicho]

It's already a great group, and Clark would put it over the top.

With 3 all-american caliber WRs in the class (Robinson, Fulwood and Bailey) and two promising under-the-radar guys, I'd say we are over the top as it is. Icing is already on the cake. Clark would be an extra layer of it.

[GATORAZ]

With 3 all-american caliber WRs in the class (Robinson, Fulwood and Bailey) and two promising under-the-radar guys, I'd say we are over the top as it is. Icing is already on the cake. Clark would be an extra layer of it.

Clark would probably be number 2 on my board. I also think he can get help the team quicker than Bailey and Fulwood.

[Gatorrick22]

Clark would probably be number 2 on my board. I also think he can get help the team quicker than Bailey and Fulwood.

Wow, that good? Then I sure hope we land that kid.

[gator1986]

Does anyone actually see debose becoming a least a significant playmaker next year for special teams, or should I stop wishing already...

[Gatorrick22]

Does anyone actually see debose becoming a least a significant playmaker next year for special teams, or should I stop wishing already...

I'm hoping Joker Philips can help him get his head screwed on tight. He's got the most speed of anyone on the team yet he's wasting it away.

He really needs a breakout year. I hope he realizes his potential and makes the most of it. So far, I'm a bit disappointed with his career. We really need him to step up big-time this year.

[NoahBeanBizzel]

It's possible for Debose to explode during his senior season. Rick hit it on the head, as I think a lot of his progression will depend on how he takes to Joker Phillips. He's got as much raw talent as any receiver we have.

[gator1986]

I'm hoping Joke Philips can help him get him head screwed on tight. He's got the most speed of anyone on the team yet he's wasting it away.

He really needs a breakout year. I hope he realizes his potential and makes the most of it. So far, I'm a bit disappointed with his career. We really need him to step up big-time this year.

Remember Mario Manningham from Michigan? He is a Debose type player he didn't run the best routes, just seams mainly and deep post, but when he got the ball in his hands he had speed to burn, and made plays. Now they use him for basically same thing in the NFL, I wish they would use Debose for the same thing, just deep route.

[StrangeGator]

Debose will have a fine senior season, maybe even great. He's had a different position coach every year. At least this year, he'll have a very good one. I also think that Driskel's development will help Debose. With Reed and Hammond gone, there will be a lot of opportunities to go around. I don't think Debose is going to let this final chance get by him.

[sgtfury]

We need beasts at WR and Hawkins, Robinson, and Fulwood fill that need.

[Gatorrick22]

We need beasts at WR and Hawkins, Robinson, and Fulwood fill that need.

And if we add Clark we'll be loaded even more at receiver.

[Pieisyummy]

We need beasts at WR and Hawkins, Robinson, and Fulwood fill that need.

Bailey looked like a nice potential slot in the Under Armour game

[Gatorrick22]

Dang! Big, PHYSICAL, plenty of speed, plays hard til the whistle, good hands. Can see why Champ was going after this guy hard. Not that it matters, but I expect him to be a 4 star by next ranking period. He's VERY good. Check it out.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/607209/highlights/10728376

Keep working, Marqui!

We have to have one of the best receiving corp in the nation coming in next year.

[RayGator]

We need beasts at WR and Hawkins, Robinson, and Fulwood fill that need.

I agree. I'd like to see some big, strong guys at WR. Guys that will intimidate defensive backs on the other teams!

[Gatorrick22]

Remember Mario Manningham from Michigan? He is a Debose type player he didn't run the best routes, just seams mainly and deep post, but when he got the ball in his hands he had speed to burn, and made plays. Now they use him for basically same thing in the NFL, I wish they would use Debose for the same thing, just deep route.

Me too. Debose is too good/fast to waste.

[GATORAZ]

looks like he might be visiting Auburn

[Briang8r]

looks like he might be visiting Auburn

Awesome. I don't like that right before signing day. Will our coaches have any chance to contact him after the visit?

[GATORAZ]

Awesome. I don't like that right before signing day. Will our coaches have any chance to contact him after the visit?

no face to face but they can talk to him on the phone

[g8r925]

well that sucks, I love that kids size and build, I think he will be a stud if we can keep ahold of him.

[UFFL]

Andrew Spivey ‏@AndrewSpiveyGC
I'm told reports that Marqui Hawkins will visit #Auburn this weekend are false

[AndrewSpivey]

looks like he might be visiting Auburn

His coach denied the reports

[Gatorrick22]

His coach denied the reports

Why would he go to a school that wont contend for anything in this decade?

[GATORAZ]

His coach denied the reports

I hope his coach is right

[gator1986]

I hope his coach is right

Gotta be joking I hope

[GATORAZ]

Gotta be joking I hope

joking about what?

[gator1986]

Going to visit auburn, isn't that what the conversation is about!?

[GATORAZ]

Going to visit auburn, isn't that what the conversation is about!?

There were report Hawkins was going to visit Auburn this weekend. Andrew then got in contact with his coach who said Hawkins will not be visiting Aurbun. I then said I hope his coach is right.

[gator1986]

Yea I don't know why I took your quote I got fat fingers I guess... It's on my phone I figured you would know where I was coming from, so I didn't fix it lol

[bofusgators]

Appears to be an outstanding get.

[UFFL]

marqui Hawkins ‏@MarquihHawkins
Rumors going around about me going to auburn this weekend . Im not going to auburn 1000% gator nation