Publish Date:  Dec 17, 2014

Hartnell College linebacker Ernest Hawkins to play for South Carolina

By  John Devine , Monterey Herald

POSTED: 12/15/14, 7:41 PM PST | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

Salinas >> It wasn’t like Ernest Hawkins made a rash decision.

Yet, when the SEC comes calling for your services, you can’t say no.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Hartnell College linebacker is headed to South Carolina after verbally committing over the weekend to become a Gamecock.

Monterey Peninsula College defensive lineman Jonathan Tuiolosega has also made a commitment: He will sign with the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Hawkins will make it official on Wednesday when he signs with South Carolina, whose head coach is former Heisman Trophy winner and 49ers quarterback Steve Spurrier.

It would be easy to understand if Hawkins is trying to grasp what happened.

Over the course of four days, South Carolina saw film of Hawkins, visited him, put him on a plane and made an offer.

“It came down so fast,’’ Hartnell coach Matt Collins said. “They really liked what they saw on film of him.”

Hawkins was scheduled for a visit to Hawaii, but turned it down after they wanted him to commit before boarding a plane. Colorado had also expressed interest.

Hawkins had originally signed with the University of Texas-El Paso out of Dunbar High in Baltimore. He decommitted after the staff was fired.

Before enrolling at Hartnell, Hawkins had interest from West Virginia and Maryland.

This is the third time in four years that Hartnell has sent a player to the SEC.

Hawkins compiled 58 tackles this past season for the Golden Coast Conference champion Panthers, recording three sacks while breaking up three passes.

Athletic Team:  Men's Football