No. 3 pick: CB Artrell Hawkins

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Bearcat wows Bengals with speed

Sunday, April 19, 1998

BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Artrell Hawkins became UC's highest draft pick since 1987. (Saed Hindash photo) | ZOOM |

Artrell Hawkins never attended a Bengals game during his four years at the University of Cincinnati, mainly because he spent autumn Sundays attending meetings and lifting weights with his Bearcats teammates.

His days as a spectator at Cinergy Field or Paul Brown Stadium may remain years away. But if everything proceeds as planned, he'll see plenty of Bengals games as a participant.

A. Hawkins

The Bengals addressed their need for a cornerback Saturday by selecting the UC senior with their second-round choice, the 43rd pick overall. Hawkins, 22, became the seventh Bearcat drafted by Cincinnati and would be the eighth UC performer to wear Bengals stripes.

"I'll probably just stay in my apartment," Hawkins said from his parents' home in Johnstown, Pa., sounding pleased with the convenience. "I love Cincinnati. I loved it when I went there out of high school to the university. Now that I'm playing for the Bengals, the joy I'm feeling is unbelievable."

UC Bengals CB Artrell Hawkins was the seventh University of Cincinnati player drafted by the Bengals. The others: 1969: Greg Cook, QB (first round, fifth choice overall); Clem Turner, running back (fourth round, 83rd overall) 1974: Evan Jolitz, LB (third round, 73rd overall) 1975: Jeff West, P/TE (fifth round, 122nd overall) 1979: Howie Kurnick, LB (eighth round, 194th overall) 1982: Kari Yli-Renko, T (eighth round, 222nd overall)

Hawkins was the highest-drafted Bearcat since the New York Jets took linebacker Alex Gordon with the 42nd overall pick in 1987. Linebacker Brad Jackson became another NFL-bound Bearcat when the Dolphins selected him in the third round with the 79th pick overall.

Experts projected Hawkins as a late third- or fourth-rounder as last season concluded, but the speed the 5-foot-10, 193-pounder displayed at the NFL's February scouting combine at Indianapolis improved his status. Bengals defensive backs coach Ray Horton said Hawkins, whose vertical leap was measured at 37 inches, and Syracuse safety Tebucky Jones were the combine's two most impressive performers in the secondary.

"Teams like guys who can run," said Hawkins, whose best clocking in the 40-yard dash was 4.31 seconds. "Although my time wasn't the best at the combine, it was among the guys who were up there."

But the Bengals wanted to certify Hawkins was more than just a physical specimen. As Horton said, "We're drafting football players, not athletes."

Studying film of Hawkins convinced the Bengals he also belonged in the former group. They liked his ability to survive in one-on-one coverage, a task UC's defense frequently subjected him to, and they appreciated he played the second half of the season with a mild shoulder injury.

"I've never seen him turn down a hit," Horton said. "If you look at him without his shirt, you know he's been in the weight room. When you look at everything he has done, he has been right there."

UC coach Rick Minter said Hawkins' skills have barely begun to emerge. "He still has a lot of upside," Minter said. "I think Bruce (Coslet) will be very happy with him."

Bengals draft for speed
Brown says no Moss
Picks will have to win jobs
Some impact, some insurance

The players
1. Takeo Spikes,
LB, Auburn
1a. Brian Simmons,
LB, N.Carolina
2. Artrell Hawkins,
CB, Cincinnati
3. Steve Foley,
LB, NE Louisiana
3a. Mike Goff,
G, Iowa
4. Glen Steele,
DE, Michigan
6. Jason Tucker,
WR, TCU
7. Marcus Parker,
RB, Va. Tech
7a. Damian Vaughn,
TE, Miami U.

Columns
Sullivan
Daugherty

UC coverage
Five Bearcats drafted
Fabini, Ransom, Monroe taken on second day
Jackson taken by Dolphins