Michigan like home for R250 WR Hawkins

Before he feels comfortable narrowing down his long list of offers, Rivals250 wide receiver Brad Hawkins Jr. wants to visit a number of schools. Last weekend the Camden, N.J. standout took a closer look at the Michigan Wolverines.

"It was great," said the 6-foot-3, 193-pound Hawkins. "We toured the facilities and the campus. I liked how everything was close to each other and everything was walking distance. We saw the practice and it was good and everybody was competitive. We met with the coaching staff, Jim Harbaugh, Jay Harbaugh and they're really good guys."

There was one particular thing that made Hawkins feel especially comfortable.

"I didn't really know they had so many coaches from Jersey," he said. "That's one thing that stood out. It's like a family out at Michigan. It made me feel at home even being that far away. That's a good thing. Being far away up in Michigan but knowing you have a lot of Jersey guys with you makes you feel like you're home."

Hawkins also had some time to talk to a handful of players.

"The players are very friendly," Hawkins said. "I talked to Brian Cole, Alex Malzone, Jabrill Peppers and a couple offensive linemen. Brian Cole was the guy I talked to most. He was an early graduate and he was saying how he really liked Michigan. He's in a good position right now because he will get to play a lot as a freshman. Jabrill is a cool kid and told me how he liked Michigan a lot. It put him in a better situation and he really likes the new coaches, especially Jim Harbaugh."

The coaching staff explained to Hawkins how they would use him.

"We sat down and talked to coach Harbaugh and he is about his business," he said. "They see me as a playmaker, a guy that can catch an 80-yard pass on first down or catch a screen and make a couple guys miss and score. They see me as a playmaker and not just a possession receiver."

Hawkins has a lot of schools he wants to visit before announcing a short list.

"I want to visit Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Boston College, North Carolina and I want to get back to Ohio State because the last time I was there I only saw a game and I didn't see the campus or anything," said Hawkins. "I also want to see Notre Dame. I was supposed to go but the snowstorm messed that up.

"We are supposed to go to North Carolina on Monday but I'm not sure if that's still happening. I have to check on that."

Hawkins hopes to commit at the end of the offseason.

"Honestly, I haven't thought about when I'm going to make my top five or top ten," he said. "I'm just trying to enjoy the process and go out to as many schools as I can because there are a lot of schools that I haven't been to yet. I want to commit before the season starts up again."

Track season is about to start for Hawkins and he plans on running the 100-meter and 200-meter races.