Fresh start helps Hawthorne

Brian Hawthorne is ready to take advantage of a fresh start.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound defensive back and wide receiver has transferred to Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne and is starting to gel with his new teammates.

"I got to do spring ball with them and grabbed a lot of college attention," Hawthorne said. "I've been really happy with my decision so far."

Hawthorne previously attended Carson, Calif., and admits things weren't working out last fall. He was switched from wide receiver to defensive back after a five games and saw limited played time at either position.

"We moved, and Narbonne was in the area and I got to thinking about it," Hawthorne said. "I saw it as a new beginning, and I took it."

Though he doesn't have any offers, Hawthorne has garnered interest from Arizona State, Washington and Fresno State, among others, and has begun to earn USC's attention as well.

"At the Risings Stars camp, my recruiting coordinator said that they liked me, and that I was one of the top receivers there," he said. "They were more than impressed."

Hawthorne also attended Arizona State's camp and came away impressed. Hawthorne said he has no leader at this point, but the Sun Devils are near the top of his list of schools in contention.

"ASU's been showing me interest more than any other school, and I really like their receiver coach," he said. "When I went down there, I really felt like I could fit in there. I just like their coaching staff and their facilities, and all the academics and everything. But my mom doesn't really want me to go too far from home."

Hawthorne wants to visit a number of out-of-state schools this fall, but he's open to any school that has interest in him.

"I'd probably go up to Washington, and hopefully Utah and Oregon," he said. "I'd definitely like to go up to Oregon, I hear their facilities are just terrific."

This fall, Hawthorne will line up at receiver for Narbonne and will also play free safety alongside highly touted strong safety Sean Parker. Narbonne begins its summer practices today.

As for what he'd prefer to play on the next level, Hawthorne said he's open to playing on either side of the ball.

"I really like receiver, I'm very skilled there and I know a lot about the position," he said. "But I also like cornerback, because I like to be physical at the line of scrimmage. If I had the choice, I'd probably play receiver."