Scouting Report and Highlights: Gators WR Commit Jerrae Hawkins Jr.

Gators wide receiver commit Jerrae Hawkins Jr. will bring game-changing speed to Florida's offense upon enrollment.

The Gators continue to reel in commitments in the month of June, adding their tenth pledge in the past two weeks in the form of consensus four-star wide receiver Jerrae Hawkins Jr. on Monday.

The IMG Academy speedster is one of the fastest prospects in the country, boasting a 10.37-second 100-meter dash result on the track and a 4.25-second 40-yard dash time at an Ohio State camp. 

All Gators went to the film room to get a more in-depth look at the skill set Hawkins will bring to the future of UF's offense.

Scouting Report: Gators WR commit Jerrae Hawkins Jr. 

In Hawkins, the Gators are getting elite speed out of the slot. He possesses the ability to routinely run past defenders, take the top off the defense and make it look effortless while doing so.

Standing at only 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, Hawkins isn’t a physically imposing player, and certainly has some work ahead of him in the weight room to withstand the physicality of the SEC. 

But don’t let the size fool you. Hawkins is a big play waiting to happen. 

He pairs his elite acceleration with excellent elusiveness, vision and burst.

Receivers with thin frames must learn to avoid big hits and Hawkins is an expert at that skill. Whether it be via short routes or designed touches from behind the line of scrimmage, he consistently makes defenders miss in a confined area and turns what was initially a brief play into a big gain.

Once the ball is in Hawkins' hands, he does a great job of finding the gaps in the defense and hitting them. He displays excellent burst and acceleration to get upfield in a hurry, and once he turns on the jets, he has the unrivaled top-end speed to eliminate most, if not all, pursuit angles from defenders.

While improving on the subtle nuances of route running is something Hawkins will have to accomplish to take his game to the next level, he already understands how to set his defender up by using his speed to break the cushion and his head and body to turn them around, then utilizing the blind spot to create separation. 

Spending his senior season at IMG Academy — a development hotspot for prep talent — should significantly aid his refinement in that area before he heads to UF in less than a year.

Even without the polish, Hawkins tends to get a free release off the line of scrimmage with quick and clean footwork. 

The one thing that you don’t see from Hawkins in his junior film is blocking. Considering his stature, that is a skill Hawkins arguably will need to focus on developing the most at the next level. 

As a slot receiver, he doesn’t need to be a road grader and wouldn't be asked to take on such a physically demanding role, especially in his early career as his aforementioned bodily makeup undergoes its necessary changes. 

But, he has to at least be willing to engage with defensive backs in order to see the field in the run-dominant offensive attack head coach and offensive play caller Billy Napier has brought to Gainesville since his Dec. 2021 arrival. 

His experience on the defensive side of the ball illustrates a willingness to put his pads on opponents, creating the idea that his lack of blocking presence could be reconciled quickly.

Considering Hawkins' traits and his extremely high level of production as a junior — 1,173 yards and 14 touchdowns across 67 catches — it’s easy to understand why programs like Penn State and Miami are so high on him and why perennial national championship contender Alabama extended him an offer. 

Hawkins has the ability to be an extremely dynamic playmaker at the next level and will bring a ton of speed to the Swamp.

Watch Hawkins' junior season highlights below. 

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