Ahmad Hawkins is one of Virginia's starting cornerbacks. So what's the big deal? Until the spring, Hawkins was a starting wide receiver for the Cavs.
Hawkins was the leading receiver on one of the most prolific high school teams ever, the 1996 Hampton Crabbers. In that season, Hampton was voted the consensus No. 1 high school team in the nation on the way to winning its second consecutive Class AAA state championship.
The Crabbers set the national high school scoring record that season, and Hawkins, the favorite target of a guy named Ronald Curry, set a state record with 19 touchdown receptions. He left as Hampton's all-time leading receiver.
Arriving at the University in 1997, Hawkins' athletic ability quickly earned him playing time. Hawkins saw action at wide receiver and on special teams in the first eight games of the season before an ankle injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
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Hawkins played in all 11 games in 1998, but it was the last regular season game of the year that earned him a place in Cavalier football lore. His 47-yard touchdown reception from Aaron Brooks was the finishing touch on Virginia's exceptional 36-32 comeback win against Virginia Tech.
Last season was a shaky one for Hawkins, even though he was one of the three starting wideouts.
He was injured in the first game against North Carolina and missed the next game, a loss to Clemson. He returned to play for the rest of the season, but had an up-and-down year, mixing dropped passes with solid performances. In Virginia's win against N.C. State, Hawkins posted career highs with four catches for 67 yards, one touchdown and a pair of two-point conversion receptions, all in the Cavs' 30-point third quarter comeback.
During the offseason, Hawkins contemplated a move to defensive back, where he had seven interceptions in high school. The religious studies major's decision was finalized by a combination of friendly advice, prayer, soul-searching and a desperate Virginia secondary.
"I had a lot of dropped passes last year so I figured maybe I needed to make a new identity," Hawkins joked.
Hawkins approached Virginia coach George Welsh prior to a spring track meet, in which he competed in the 60-meter and 100-yard dashes, to inquire about moving to defense.
"If I had done it by myself, it would have been very difficult," Hawkins said. "But God was with me and he made it easier to tell Coach Welsh."
Knowing Hawkins' speed, quickness and athleticism, Welsh welcomed the idea. Two games into the 2000 season, Hawkins has five solo tackles for the Cavaliers (1-1) and has been making a smooth transition to cornerback.
Welsh, who said Hawkins "has done pretty well," offered a simple explanation for the ease with which the senior made the switch.
"Ahmad Hawkins is a football player," Welsh said. "He has good football instincts, he can run and he's tough."
Starting free safety Jerton Evans also complimented the progress of his fellow defensive back.
"He's learning on the run, but he's picked up a whole lot," Evans said. "He's a real fast learner. The more games he plays in, he's just going to get that much better."
Last weekend, Richmond's option rushing attack did little to test Hawkins' coverage skills. However, upcoming games against several potent ACC passing offenses - including Duke this week - will determine how well he has adjusted thus far.
"I figure people will still remember me for the catch against Tech," Hawkins said. "Hopefully they can remember me for playing defensive back"
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