This past Saturday, Prairie View A&M held its NFL Pro Day and one of the shining stars of the event was former Panthers’ defensive back Darius Hawkins.
Hawkins put forth impressive numbers recording a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, a 39″ vertical jump, a 10″ broad jump, and 14 reps on the bench press.
Among all cornerbacks in this year’s NFL combine, he would have finished in the top 10 in the 40-yard dash and would have tied for the second-highest vertical.
Turn nothing into something, bro I’m living proof..how can I lose when I’m a who’s who
#JustaKidFromDaEast pic.twitter.com/NRIcMEZDPk
— Darius Hawkins (@Hawk_5inco) April 4, 2022
Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hawkins’ college career began at the JUCO level at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he was a part of a team that won the Southwest Junior College Football Conference championship in 2017.
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In 2019, he transferred to Prairie View A&M where he played two seasons recording 34 total tackles (18 solos) and a tackle for loss.
He ended his college career by moving on to the University of Central Oklahoma as a grad transfer.
It was there the former JUCO champion recorded 31.0 total tackles (23 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and six passes defended including five pass breakups.
If his Pro Day measurements are any indication, Hawkins could be one of many HBCU prospects fans could expect to see get their name called in the draft or signed to an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent.
