Penn State '18 OH DT - Aeneas Hawkins (Penn State Verbal)

#UC's top 2018 DT target Aeneas Hawkins goes in-depth on his new decision timeline, upcoming visits and more (VIP): https://t.co/q0gqIvoy8V pic.twitter.com/fB6YYJ77yc

— Shane Kinnee (@CoachKinnee) May 8, 2017

 

Caught up with 2018 four-star DT and Ohio State target Aeneas Hawkins, who is eyeing an end-of-summer decision. https://t.co/5mHzfpxe2P

— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) May 16, 2017

 

TRIMMING THINGS DOWN ONCE AGAIN

Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins included Ohio State in his Top 7 on Sunday evening alongside Alabama, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Penn State, Pittsburgh and USC.

“Ohio State is Ohio State, man,” Hawkins recently told Eleven Warriors. “You’re not going to go wrong with them and you know what you’re getting.”

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hawkins — the son of former NFL defensive back Artrell and nephew of wide receiver Andrew — is considered the top-rated defensive tackle in the state and No. 265 prospect overall in the Class of 2018. He's been to Columbus numerous times over the last year, most recently for the Spring Game last month.

Hawkins has always spoken highly of Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and the two talked about where he fit into the class last month. He's still considered a priority, even with recent commitments from five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent and four-star defensive end Brenton Cox already in the fold.

"Coach Johnson, in my opinion, is probably the best defensive line coach in the country and it goes to show with his 10 guys or whatever this year who are probably going to be playing in the NFL this year and doing well," Hawkins said. "A lot of this is connected, so I want to know the people I’m playing with. At Ohio State, people like Vincent, Cox, those type of kids I know. I’m interested to see who comes and what’s going to be happening in that class."

Hawkins was originally set to make his college announcement earlier this month but pushed it back so that he didn't rush to a decision. He'll instead choose his school sometime before his senior season, with the Bearcats and Nittany Lions the biggest threats to the Buckeyes' chances.

 

Final seven schools for Aeneas Hawkins

As expected, Ohio State is in the final group of schools for Cincinnati Moeller 4-star DL Aeneas Hawkins. The 6-3, 265-pound Hawkins released his finalists Sunday afternoon.

Hawkins is an interesting prospect right now because, despite regular conversation with Larry Johnson Sr. and the Buckeyes, there are many who believe he’s not as high a priority for Ohio State as some other defensive linemen. Cincinnati, where his father Artrell was a cornerback with the Bengals in the 1990s, has emerged as the trendy pick for his services.

There’s a summer decision coming from Hawkins, the country’s 23rd-ranked defensive tackle and Ohio’s 12th-ranked prospect.

“I’m pretty confident in where I’m going. I’m just waiting on the right time to announce,” Hawkins told Land of 10. “It’ll be mid-summer most likely. I’ll do it at a time when I’m not busy, and I can finish any visits if I need to. I’m not sure when I’ll visit Ohio State again.

“I’m excited about all the opportunities, but I’m ready to be done with it.”

 

BUCKEYES OR BEARCATS?

Though Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins included Ohio State in his Top 7 last weekend alongside Alabama, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Penn State, Pittsburgh and USC, we won't have to wait much longer to find out where he'll play his college ball.

“I've seen all of them now and seen all sides of the school,” Hawkins told Eleven Warriors. “I pretty much know where I'm heading.”

The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hawkins — the top-rated defensive tackle in the state and No. 267 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — is working with his uncle, New England Patriots wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, on commitment video he'll share in either late June or early July. Out of respect for his decision, I asked Hawkins for the reason(s) why he chose the school he did — without giving anything away, of course.

“Throughout the entire process, I wanted to go somewhere I felt like I could maximize all of my goals, from the field, the community and the classroom,” he said. “I needed a coaching staff who saw eye to eye with my goals, but more importantly, a staff that would take those goals to heart and push me toward them. A lot of places are focused on winning and winning only. I understand that, but I also understand that more than likely, I won't be playing football much longer. I need to develop as a man [and] the place I've picked is going to help me do that.”

Hawkins has been to Columbus numerous times over the last year, most recently for the Spring Game in mid-April. He's always spoken highly of defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and the two talked about where he fit into the class during his visit last month.

The hometown pitch from Cincinnati — as well as the fact that his father, Artrell, played for the Bearcats — is probably the biggest threat to Ohio State's chances. But if the staff views him as a priority, I think he'll choose the Buckeyes.

 

4-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins has final-7. To decide in July. https://t.co/rAJ26LeIWJ @AeneasHawkins #UC #OSU #PSU

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) June 12, 2017

 

Got my weight up.

Still movin' like y'all say y'all do. pic.twitter.com/aFxypGb46J

— Aeneas Hawkins (@AeneasHawkins) July 9, 2017

 

4-star Aeneas Hawkins has a lot to think about following Penn State visit. Down to 3. https://t.co/dkITb8KfUT @AeneasHawkins #PSU #UC #USC

— Bill Greene (@BillBankGreene) July 16, 2017

 

No surprise........

Notable: Moeller prize recruit Hawkins' choices down to UC, Penn State https://t.co/QUXsPiOZoD

— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) July 28, 2017

 

CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL

When Luke Fickell was the defensive coordinator at Ohio State, one of his top in-state priorities was Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller four-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins. And despite his departure, he 6-foot-3, 265-pound Hawkins wanted to commit to the Buckeyes during a visit in early April — his umpteenth trip to campus in the last year or so.

That visit passed, though, and shortly thereafter the two sides began to drift apart. The staff landed a pledge from five-star defensive Taron Vincent and continued to chase other national prospects like Nesta Silvera and Tommy Togiai, which certainly isn't going to sit well with someone who feels like they should be a priority instead of a last resort.

Still, Hawkins — 23rd-best defensive tackle and No. 284 prospect overall in the Class of 2018 — returned to campus for the Spring Game a few weeks later. Then, he included Ohio State in his Top 7 a few weeks later alongside Alabama, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Penn State, Pittsburgh and USC.

With plans of announcing his decision sometime this summer, Hawkins made trips to Cincinnati and Penn State during their key recruiting weekends. And with both pushing for his pledge, he told the local newspaper on Thursday the Bearcats and Nittany Lions made his Final 2.

"They're both home to me," Hawkins said. "It's tough.”

Should he pick the Bearcats, he'll obviously be reunited with Fickell. He'll also follow in his father's footsteps. But it looks as if the Nittany Lions have surged into the lead following his visit for the Lasch Bash earlier this month.

Hawkins is a great kid who is undoubtedly going to succeed wherever he goes. And after having grown up rooting for Ohio State, he'll now get the chance to play against the Buckeyes in the coming years.

 

Cincinnati Moeller defensive tackle @AeneasHawkins announces a commitment to #PennState over #Cincinnati and others https://t.co/cVzCmqWuNw

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) August 10, 2017