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DB Cedrick Hawkins (transfer to UCF)

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IMMEDIATE IMPACT​

If Hawkins sees the field early on in his Ohio State career, it will likely come on special teams, where he already proved to be a playmaker throughout his time in high school.

With Ohio State's depth chart at safety filled with the likes of Josh Proctor, Lathan Ransom, Ja'Had Carter, Sonny Styles, Cameron Martinez and Kourt Williams, among others, Hawkins will have plenty of time to learn the speed of the college game and Jim Knowles' defense. Not only are all of those players in front of him on the depth chart in his first season, but Hawkins is also the lowest-ranked safety in Ohio State's three-safety 2023 class, behind Malik Hartford and Jayden Bonsu (all three are four-star prospects).

While he proved his ball-hawking ability, his instincts to read running plays well and tremendous aggression flying to the ball carrier throughout his time at Cocoa, he will need to gain the trust of Ohio State's defensive coaching staff in the back end before he will play a substantial role in the Buckeye secondary.

LONG-TERM IMPACT​

Although Proctor is entering his final year of eligibility and Ransom will be a candidate to enter the 2024 NFL draft, Hawkins must adjust to the college level quickly if he wants a chance to compete for a spot on the two-deep as a sophomore. With the number of safeties in front of him to start his career, it’s more realistic that Hawkins will contend for substantial playing time in his third season as a Buckeye.

That said, the 6-foot, 175-pound safety will look to prove he has the athleticism, versatility and ballhawking ability to make an impact on Ohio State’s defense sooner than later.

“I can bring a lot to the table,” Hawkins told Eleven Warriors. “I can get things done from wherever I’m at on the field.”
 
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