Interview: 2018 South Carolina QB Brayden Hawkins Filling Up Stat Sheet in Quick Fashion

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

If game tape never lies then stats are the misleading measuring stick on the gridiron. A horrible or great stat line does not tell all that there is about the performance a player has put up in football. Take Brayden Hawkins’ start to the 2016 season for example. Hitting 28 of 39 passes for 502 yards with five touchdowns against zero picks and carrying the ball twice for 17 yards with two scores in just two games sounds pretty good. But the reality is, that is about one game’s worth of time on the field.

Hawkins had his sophomore season split up between two schools finishing at York High School in South Carolina after his family moved from North Carolina. During the off-season, Hawkins made his rounds on the college camp circuit and showed out during the Cam Newton 7v7 Tournament attracting even more attention his way.

Just before the season began, Hawkins transferred from York to Dillon High School missing the Wildcats opening game against Mallard Creek for reasons beyond his control. With very little time to connect with his new team, the 6-3, 210 pound, gunslinger stepped onto the field engineering a 62-14 win over Mullins and a 42-13 win against Latta in his first two games of the season.

Hawkins camped at Texas A&M, South Carolina, North Carolina State, Southern Miss, and Virginia over the summer and is drawing interest from Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Ohio, Boston College, Toledo, and Marshall among others.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Hawkins after the Wildcats bye week to get his thoughts on the season to date, the upcoming schedule, and his recruitment process early into the season.

Interview

Brayden, you camped at a lot of schools this summer. Of all the camps you attended, at which camp did you perform your best?

“I think my best was at Texas A&M.”

What did you do well there?

“The way I was throwing the ball was pure and smooth. I felt really good that day, everything felt right.”

From all the camps you attended, what was at least one thing you learned that you have taken forward with you into your junior season?

“More film study. I’m preparing even more during the week for the team that we are playing than I did last year. There is a lot of the footwork stuff I have taken as well and use in practice and in the games.”

You transferred from York to Dillon just as the football season was about to begin. How has the transfer gone for you so far?

“It is going really well. I am really comfortable with the players and the school. The transfer has gone well.”

The team has played three games, you’ve played in two of those games. How does the team look going forward?

“The team looks good. We have weapons everywhere. We are a confident team in our abilities.”

How has the season gone for you personally on the field?

“The season for me is going good. I did not get to play in our first game. We are 2-1. I played well in our two games.”

What are you doing well as a quarterback this season when leading Dillon?

“My timing with the receivers. For not being there that long, having the timing we do with each other has been great.”

How did you develop such a quick connection with the receivers?

“We stayed after practice working drills and met up over the weekend doing routes.”

How many quarters have you played so far this season?

“In my first game, I played in the first half and one series in the third quarter. I played in parts of three quarters in the second game.”

Are there any games on the schedule you are getting pumped to play?

“Yeah, our next game against Wilson (Florence, SC). They have Xavier Thomas (6-3, 255; defensive end), I think he is rated as the No. 1 recruit in the 2018 class.”

What is it about going up against Thomas that excites you for the game?

“I’m excited to see where I am at against him. There are a bunch of colleges coming to the game to scout. That is exciting too.”

Which colleges do you know of that will be in attendance?

“South Carolina, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia. There are more, but I know those four schools are coming for sure.”

Do you have any unofficial visits lined up?

“Yes. I’m going to Wake Forest this weekend. Next weekend I’m going to Virginia Tech, then Marshall, and then Toledo. I’m going to South Carolina for the Georgia game (Oct. 8) also.”

When you take the various trips as a perspective recruit, what are some of the things you look for or are hoping to learn?

“During the game I watch the offense to see how they run it and to see how I would fit in with their system. I’m also looking at the atmosphere on game day. What is that like? I also look to see how the coaching staff treats me and my family. Things like that.”

Brayden, good luck with your big showdown against Wilson and enjoy your visit to Wake Forest.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Hawkins family; Brayden Hawkins pre-snap.

Photo credit: Hawkins family; Brayden Hawkins on the field.