Interest in Hawkins rises quickly

The state of Ohio is deep at the tight end position in the 2016 class, and Maple Heights three-star Kierre Hawkins is one of the top prospects.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hawkins holds four offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Bowling Green and Toledo. The Illini are the latest to join that list.

"My coach texted me after practice and the Illinois coach had called him and gave me an offer just like that," Hawkins said.

Hawkins is still learning about Illinois' program. He knows a little more about Kentucky, which offered him shortly before Illinois did.

"Coach (Vince) Marrow gave me the offer," Hawkins said. "He knew my head coach, so he had already known about me and was already looking at me. He told me they have a good program and are looking forward to me coming down there. He thinks I'll be a good force for their program. The SEC - I like the conference."

The school Hawkins may know best at this stage is Ohio State, and he is squarely on the Buckeye's radar after a strong showing at their Friday Night Lights Camp last month.

"The running backs coach said that I am going to be a future Buckeye, not to worry," Hawkins said. "They wanted me to work more on my routes and keep getting in the weight room to get better. He said that would make the game easier for me. I have the height, I just need a little more of the size."

Hawkins played in just five games for Maple Heights' varsity as a sophomore, catching three touchdown passes. The early interest from colleges has been a pleasant surprise.

"I always thought I was D1 material and knew one day it would come up," Hawkins said. "I didn't think it was going to be my junior year; I thought it would be my senior year."

Hawkins has yet to schedule any college game visits in the fall, but said he definitely wants to make it down to Kentucky this season.