New Clemson coach secures Baldwin LB Corico Hawkins

New Clemson coach Dabo Swinney wants Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, so Hawkins is sticking with his commitment to the Tigers. "Corico wants to be there with the coaches who recruited him," Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said. Hawkins, a member of the AJC's The Georgia 150, took his mother to the Clemson-South Carolina game Saturday. "That was the first time she went to a Clemson game, and I think that sealed the deal," Hicks said. Hawkins was an early commitment to Clemson, and was only looking at other schools in case the Tigers hired an outsider as coach. "If you bring in a new coach, they may start going through the recruiting process again," he said. "They may not run the same scheme and they may look for a different kind of player." The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins finished the 2008 regular season with 102 tackles, 16 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He was named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year.

Clemson recruit Corico Hawkins considers N.C. State visit

Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, a Clemson commit, may consider an official visit to N.C. State. "N.C. State is recruiting him real hard," Baldwin coach Jesse Hicks said. "He is still committed to Clemson and I don't think he will visit N.C. State, but with the way this recruiting stuff works, you just never know." Hicks said Hawkins, a 6-foot, 220-pound member of the AJC's The Georgia 150, has developed a rapport with N.C. State assistant coach Andy McCollum. Although Hicks reiterated Hawkins' strong commitment to Clemson. "He knows the coaching situation is up in the air there, but he fell in love with the school," he said. "He is trying to graduate early and get up to the Clemson-South Carolina game." Hawkins finished the 2008 regular season with 102 tackles, 16 for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. He was named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year and now has his eyes on a state championship. "Being named player of the year for the region is quite an accomplishment for a defensive player," Hicks said. "They typically get overlooked."

Schools try to lure away Clemson recruit Corico Hawkins

South Carolina and North Carolina State are trying to lure Baldwin linebacker Corico Hawkins, the state’s only player committed to Clemson. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hawkins said the two schools contacted him after Tommy Bowden stepped down as Clemson’s coach on Monday. While Hawkins said he appreciated the interest, he said he is sticking by his commitment to the Tigers. “I like Clemson and I want to be there for the next four years, [regardless of who is coach],” Hawkins said. Hawkins said he was also contacted by Clemson interim coach Dabo Swinney. “He told me to hang in there. He said they are turning things around and to just hold on.” Hawkins said he will know more about everything after he travels to Clemson for Saturday’s game with Georgia Tech. Since Clemson’s coaching change, the Tigers have lost three commitments

Oregon Interested in Baldwin LB

The Oregon Ducks still have an interest in Baldwin High linebacker Corico Hawkins, even though Hawkins committed to Clemson weeks ago. “Oregon has been sending lots of mail and has called and ask numerous questions,” Baldwin head coach Jesse Hicks said. “They seem to be very interested.” Hawkins, an AJC’s The Georgia Top 150 selectee, received nearly 30 offers, including Georgia Tech, Auburn and Florida. He made a verbal commitment to Clemson on Aug. 8. Despite Oregon’s interest, Hicks said Hawkins “is very firm to his commitment.” The 6-foot, 228-pound Hawkins also runs track for Baldwin. Rivals.com ranks Hawkins as the 44th best linebacker in the country.

Baldwin's Corico Hawkins picks Clemson

Baldwin High School's Corico Hawkins said he will play football at Clemson University next year. Hawkins, a 6-foot, 228-pound linebacker, is rated high on the AJC's Georgia 150 list. He received offers from 28 schools, including Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Auburn, Nebraska and Iowa. "There was a marriage from the beginning, " Baldwin head coach Jesse Hicks said. "He went to the University of Florida numerous times and had a great rapport with Charlie Strong, but Clemson is where his heart was." Hicks said Clemson has been recruiting Hawkins for the last several months. "Some coaches are all business, but Coach [Tommy] Bowden treated him like family, " Hicks said. "It made Corico feel like Clemson was where needed to be. It was a good fit." Hicks said Hawkins has excellent football instincts and a strong work ethic, but he will have to continue to improve his game to compete in the ACC. "He's a student of the game, but he has to be able to play at that speed in order to take his game to the next level, " he said. "He can do it, though. He has all the intangibles." Hawkins, who runs a 4.53-second 40, recorded 101 tackles last year, had one interception and three sacks. He also runs track for the Braves. Hawkins' cousin, Leroy Hill, played football for Baldwin and Clemson. Hill was drafted by Seattle in 2005, and he helped lead the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL.