How Brad Hawkins made the most of limited pre-draft opportunities

Michigan defensive back Brad Hawkins has a tougher road to the NFL than his peers. He did not receive an invite to the Senior Bowl or NFL Combine, two of the lynchpin events of the draft cycle.

That added even more importance to his Michigan pro day last week. By all accounts, it was the performance he needed to make an impression on NFL scouts.

Hawkins, who trained in Arizona this offseason, ran a 4.57 40-yard dash, did his three-cone drill in 7.10 seconds and his shuttle drill in 4.34 seconds. He added 20 reps on the bench press and recorded a 37-inch vertical and 10’1″ broad jump.

He knew he had to perform well with all 32 teams in the building.

“It was very important for me,” Hawkins told the media. “As I see it, it was just an opportunity. Some guys get two. I only had one, so I just went out everything I could to the best of my ability. I feel good about it.”

Hawkins’ other scouting opportunity during the process was a week spent at the East-West Shrine Game. That allowed him to get his foot in the door with talent evaluators.

“I’ve spoken to the majority of the scouts,” he said. “I talked to a couple here [at pro day]. Everything is going well. I am just waiting on whatever is going to happen.”

What Hawkins hoped to show

Hawkins played in a program-record 56 games at Michigan with 31 starts at free safety and was also a special teams asset. He does not appear on many online prospect boards with many believing he is a late-round prospect or undrafted free agent. All it takes is one team that has a role for him to make his pro dreams come true.

“Wanted to show my speed and that I have good hips. I can move and I am flexible,” Hawkins said. “Tried to go out there and run my fastest, bend well, and those types of things.”

“I can play multiple positions. [Scouts] feel like I can work on my post play, running sideline-to-sideline, things like that.”

The fact that he missed on an NFL Combine invite was a source of frustration, but gave him a push in the training process.

“I would say it gave me extra motivation,” Hawkins said. “I was definitely frustrated for a little while. Got over it and have continued to stay true to me like I have since day one. I know what I’m capable of and I just continued to keep my head straight and grind away.”

How Michigan teammates, coaches have helped prepare

Like many of his Michigan peers on defense, the system that defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald ran in 2021 helped prepare for what is to come. Macdonald’s prowess allowed him to leap back to the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.

The terminology learned is going to give Michigan players a leg up in the draft process.

“It’s huge,” Hawkins said. “Cover 4, Cover 3, Cover 2, those base defenses that they run in the NFL, some of them have the same terminology. Just having [Macdonald] here last year, he helped me out a lot with my football intelligence and anticipating things. Knowing when what’s coming, motions and things like that. It is going to help me tremendously in the transition to the next level.

“The league is running the same things. It is all similar to what I ran last year and will help me out a lot.”

Hawkins is leaning on those that have come before at Michigan and carved their path to the NFL.

“Ambry Thomas. David Long. Lavert Hill. Guys like that I am close with, Cesar Ruiz, they are helping me out a lot,” he said. “Telling me about the process and how I can go, what you need to look forward and such.”

The next in line

Michigan has its work cut out for it in replacing Hawkins and other stalwarts on the defense. He feels strongly that they will pick it up and take the reigns this fall.

“RJ [Moten], Makari [Paige], Gemon [Green], DJ [Turner], I’m excited for all those guys,” he said. “They are all great football players and I can’t wait to watch them play.”

One of the more notable moves of the offseason is Michigan switching Mike Sainristil from wide receiver to defensive back. Hawkins underwent a similar transition early in his college career. Sainristil has made an effort to ask Hawkins for advice during the switch.

“I’ve seen a couple of clips of Mikey and he’s doing well,” Hawkins said. “Didn’t get the opportunity to dive deep into it. But he hits me up and asks me questions. I know he’s going to be a great player because he’s willing to learn and he’s going to get better.”