Donald Hawkins, OT Recruit, Commits To Texas

Donald Hawkins, one of the nation's top Juco offensive tackles, has committed to the Texas Longhorns. Hawkins had previously been committed to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, but backed out of that last week. 

Hawkins is rated four-stars by most major services, and his measurables (6'5" and 320 pounds) are excellent.

How will he fit in Texas' plan? Our Longhorns blog, Burnt Orange Nation, weighs in:

Expected to enroll for the spring semester, his ability to work with the team should allow him to fulfill the significant expectations that are being placed on him by a coaching staff that sold him hard on their belief that he can indeed step in and play. Whether he plays left tackle or right tackle remains to be seen, but the major news is that the Longhorns filled perhaps their biggest overall need in the class by landing Hawkins, who should allow Trey Hopkins to move back inside to his natural guard position.

The 15th-ranked player in the JUCO ranks by Rivals, Hawkins was sold on the program because of the opportunity for early playing time and his relationship with Searels, choosing the Longhorns over a variety of offers from across the country, including a handful from the SEC. His coach mentioned his flexibility ($) (perhaps the most important attribute for an offensive lineman) when discussing his strengths with Orangebloods and said that Hawkins has "NFL-type ability" and "huge upside."

Texas continues to clean up; the Longhorns now have 22 commitments.