Ohio State Recruiting: Your 2016 Buckeyes Class

Kierre Hawkins- Maple Heights (Maple Heights, OH)

Size: 6’4″- 225 lbs.

Position: TE (#10 TE, 4 stars)

After receiving his offer from Ohio State, Hawkins took just two weeks to decide that Columbus was where he wanted to be. On October 18th, 2014, Hawkins became the second member of the 2016 class.

While he played receiver in high school, he projects as a tight end that can be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Hawkins’ combination of size and speed will allow him to catch the ball over smaller defenders, while also being able to stretch the field vertically. That type of blend could create consistent mismatches if linebackers are asked to cover him.

He will have to improve his blocking, of course, if he wants to play be a legitimate factor in Meyer’s offense. Regardless of how he lines up, inside or outside, he will be expected to block as well as he does anything else.

If he can develop that area of his game, Hawkins has star potential. While it is hard to call any four star recruit “over looked”, Hawkins’ list of offers prior to the Buckeyes leaves a little to be desired. He could very well turn out to be one of the sleepers of this class.