[HotMic]

ESPN: College Football Recruiting On the Trail 2009

Inside linebacker Corico Hawkins onboard with Clemson
Clemson has landed another big commitment as Corico Hawkins of Milledgeville, Ga., rated as 9th among inside linebackers in the Class of 2009, announced he will sign with the Tigers.
The 6-foot, 225-pound prospect chose Clemson over Florida and Auburn.

ESPN's Billy Tucker elaborated on the pledge, "Clemson and recruiting coordinator Billy Napier have done a great landing top-tier ESPN 150 talents like safeties Craig Loston (Aldine, Texas/Dwight D. Eisenhower) and Devonte Holloman (Rockhill, S.C./South Pointe), but they also have targeted and landed a few under-the-radar prospect who are simply great football players and project to have productive careers as future Tigers."
"Hawkins fits that mold as well as his future linebacker teammate Quandon Christian (Lake View, S.C.). He is a top-10 middle linebacker in this 2009 class but could be undervalued on the national level due to his lack of prototypical size and raw technique at this stage. However, Hawkins plays like he?s 6-foot-2, 235-pounds between the white lines and will refine his hand technique and overall linebacker technique with Clemson?s good coaching."
"The Georgia native is very powerful, thickly-built and has the bulk to handle the punishment in the middle at the next level -- as a well as dish it out. His explosiveness in the short-area tracking down ball carriers is striking and his strength and solid base at the point of attack is impressive. Hawkins? range may be limited to between the tackles and flexibility is a concern in space, but he should develop into a solid inside run plugger at Clemson."

Hawkins holds over 25 offers including Miami-Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma State, Maryland, North Carolina State and Georgia Tech. The Tigers now have 13 pledges.