SMU flips 4-star QB Ty Hawkins from TCU commitment
SMU scored a major recruiting win when it flipped four-star quarterback Ty Hawkins away from TCU, he announced on Wednesday. After taking official visits to SMU and then TCU, Hawkins opted to join Rhett Lashlee’s program over Sonny Dykes’ program in Ft. Worth.
Hawkins pledged to the Horned Frogs last summer, but is now the headliner for the Mustangs’ 2025 recruiting haul. Lashlee & Co. offered him months before the Horned Frogs did and before he ascended to a Top 100 prospect.
The Mustangs had a quarterback pledge in Keelon Russell, who flipped to Alabama, opening the door for SMU to re-engage with Hawkins. His sister ran track at SMU as well so being a Mustang runs in the family.
Hawkins visited SMU numerous times before committing early to TCU, which happened before SMU’s move to the ACC. Florida, Oregon and others were also in contact with him late in the process.
Lashlee and quarterbacks coach D’Eriq King never let up as Hawkins kept the process going. Their pursuit paid off after a strong official visit and sharing their vision for him on the Hilltop. While Hawkins publicly kept up his TCU pledge, SMU was in contact almost daily, and the push paid off.
SMU lands Elite 11 finalist Ty Hawkins
On3 ranks Hawkins higher than other recruiting services. He checks in at No. 87 overall, No. 9 signal caller and No. 18 in the Lone Star State, according to the 2025 On300.
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He is the No. 145 overall prospect and No. 12 QB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 27 player in Texas.
An Elite 11 finalist, Hawkins just announced he’s transferring from San Antonio (Tex.) Claudia Taylor Johnson to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy.
“At IMG Academy, I want to go play great completion, compete and learn as much as I can before enrolling in college early,” he told On3’s Chad Simmons. “IMG has great offensive linemen, they have great receivers to throw to, and I am excited about getting down there and playing with those guys.”
In his two seasons under center, Hawkins has thrown for over 4,200 yards, completing 262 passes and hurling 54 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. The dual-threat signal-caller has also rushed for 24 scores across his 33 career games at CTJ — which finished with a 10-2 record last season.
