Photo: Punter/3rd string QB Joseph Hawkins
By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Backup punter turned QB viable option behind top two
This is not a fairy tale, and it's true that third-string quarterback Joseph Hawkins may never see the field in a game situation this season.
But considering this time last season he was a backup punter and linebacker who stood around bored for most of practice, he's more than thrilled with the change of events.
"You know, at least football's fun again," Hawkins said. "With Jimmy (Oliver) and Tray (Rutland) we've got two great quarterbacks. But if something happens, I'll be here, ready."
Hawkins, a former Murrah standout who was recruited to Jackson State under former coach James Bell, has played a myriad of positions during college.
He started his career as a safety, but never blossomed. Then he moved to linebacker and was buried deep on the depth chart.
What's worse, this was during the 2005 season when the losses were coming fast and furious and playing football for Jackson State was not very much fun.
"I remember walking to a practice just before the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game thinking that I would end up quitting that day," Hawkins said. "But then my mom called and told me to wait it out. She said you never know what might happen."
What happened was that JSU was crushed by UAPB 64-36 that weekend and Bell was fired the next day.
It wasn't exactly good news. But the sudden shift in the direction of the program was certainly interesting.
"That's when I decided that mom was right and I'd wait it out," Hawkins said.
But when coach Rick Comegy came onto the scene before the 2006 season, it didn't appear much would change until backup quarterback Kethonne McLaurin was moved to wide receiver.
With only two quarterbacks - Oliver and true freshman William Brack - on the roster, Jackson State needed another guy to run the scout team.
Hawkins volunteered and the coaches laughed. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he wasn't exactly the prototypical specimen for quarterback.
"But then I told them I played QB at Murrah they said 'Why not?' " Hawkins said. "Then I showed I could actually run the offense and you could tell they were a little surprised."
A quick study in the film room, Hawkins had the best day of any quarterback in the JSU spring game, throwing for 132 yards on 7-of-10 passing.
Suddenly, offensive coordinator James Woody realized he had a legitimate third option.
"Joe's smart - very smart," Woody said. "And then he showed he can perform on the field in the spring. I'll tell you what - I wouldn't hesitate to go into a game with him. Not one bit. He thrives under the competition."
During Saturday's scrimmage, Oliver and Rutland continued their battle for the No. 1 spot.
Hawkins isn't in the running for the starting spot, but coaches say it's sometimes hard to tell by the way he plays.
"Joe's a guy that took us by surprise, but for all the right reasons," Comegy said. "It's not often you can take a backup punter and make him a quarterback. But he's got some real tools and his intelligence helps this team play winning football. We're lucky to have him."
Backup punter turned QB viable option behind top two
This is not a fairy tale, and it's true that third-string quarterback Joseph Hawkins may never see the field in a game situation this season.
But considering this time last season he was a backup punter and linebacker who stood around bored for most of practice, he's more than thrilled with the change of events.
"You know, at least football's fun again," Hawkins said. "With Jimmy (Oliver) and Tray (Rutland) we've got two great quarterbacks. But if something happens, I'll be here, ready."
Hawkins, a former Murrah standout who was recruited to Jackson State under former coach James Bell, has played a myriad of positions during college.
He started his career as a safety, but never blossomed. Then he moved to linebacker and was buried deep on the depth chart.
What's worse, this was during the 2005 season when the losses were coming fast and furious and playing football for Jackson State was not very much fun.
"I remember walking to a practice just before the Arkansas-Pine Bluff game thinking that I would end up quitting that day," Hawkins said. "But then my mom called and told me to wait it out. She said you never know what might happen."
What happened was that JSU was crushed by UAPB 64-36 that weekend and Bell was fired the next day.
It wasn't exactly good news. But the sudden shift in the direction of the program was certainly interesting.
"That's when I decided that mom was right and I'd wait it out," Hawkins said.
But when coach Rick Comegy came onto the scene before the 2006 season, it didn't appear much would change until backup quarterback Kethonne McLaurin was moved to wide receiver.
With only two quarterbacks - Oliver and true freshman William Brack - on the roster, Jackson State needed another guy to run the scout team.
Hawkins volunteered and the coaches laughed. At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he wasn't exactly the prototypical specimen for quarterback.
"But then I told them I played QB at Murrah they said 'Why not?' " Hawkins said. "Then I showed I could actually run the offense and you could tell they were a little surprised."
A quick study in the film room, Hawkins had the best day of any quarterback in the JSU spring game, throwing for 132 yards on 7-of-10 passing.
Suddenly, offensive coordinator James Woody realized he had a legitimate third option.
"Joe's smart - very smart," Woody said. "And then he showed he can perform on the field in the spring. I'll tell you what - I wouldn't hesitate to go into a game with him. Not one bit. He thrives under the competition."
During Saturday's scrimmage, Oliver and Rutland continued their battle for the No. 1 spot.
Hawkins isn't in the running for the starting spot, but coaches say it's sometimes hard to tell by the way he plays.
"Joe's a guy that took us by surprise, but for all the right reasons," Comegy said. "It's not often you can take a backup punter and make him a quarterback. But he's got some real tools and his intelligence helps this team play winning football. We're lucky to have him."
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