It didn’t take long for Marqui Hawkins to find a new home.
Just over a week after the University of Alabama at Birmingham shut down its football program, the former Blazer became IU’s 11th commitment to its 2015 class Wednesday night.
“I’m happy to say I’m a HOOSIER now,” Hawkins Tweeted.
Hawkins came to Bloomington for an official visit last weekend. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound receiver will be immediately eligible and become the third receiver of the 2015 commitment class.
He will have three years of eligibility at IU—his third school in two years. The former 3-star prospect out of Columbus, Ga. initially committed to Florida out of Carver High School. He spent times between safety and receiver at Florida, but opted to take a redshirt in the 2013 season.
Behind a talented receiving corps that included Demarcus Robinson and Ahmad Fulwood, Hawkins elected to transfer to UAB in June. He had to sit out last season at UAB, which announced it was shutting down its program last Tuesday.
The Blazers completed the 2014 season bowl eligible at 6-6, but did not receive a bowl bid last Sunday, effectively ending the program and allowing players like Hawkins to transfer and be immediately eligible to play at other schools.
Hawkins has the potential to immediately compete for playing time at IU for a team losing its top two receivers, Shane Wynn and Nick Stoner, to graduation. IU’s returning receivers combined for just 37 catches for 431 yards last season.
In a sense, UAB’s loss was Indiana’s gain.
Sam Beishuizen
