Gator Country

DieAGator · 05-15-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deep_threat

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 · 05-15-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

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 · 05-15-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieAGator

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.

But I would take this guy any day!

DieAGator · 05-16-2012, 02:21 AM

Quote:

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by deep_threat

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.

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** · 05-16-2012, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

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** · 05-16-2012, 08:27 AM

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

**G8RNTN** · 05-16-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trustamerica

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 · 05-16-2012, 12:01 PM

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** · 05-16-2012, 12:16 PM

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

thedyc09 · 05-16-2012, 01:07 PM

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 · 08-12-2012, 11:36 PM

Go Gators!

Gatorrick22 · 01-12-2013, 04:21 AM

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.

Quote:

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.”

Quote:

“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 · 01-12-2013, 06:07 AM

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 · 01-12-2013, 06:57 AM

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 · 01-12-2013, 08:51 AM

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

Gatorrick22 · 01-12-2013, 08:58 AM

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 · 01-12-2013, 10:26 AM

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

StrangeGator · 01-12-2013, 10:29 AM

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 · 01-12-2013, 10:35 AM

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

rserina · 01-12-2013, 10:39 AM

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.