Our highlights guy David Brox sent me an interesting email
this week after he had watched highlights of a Harmon football game he had.
In the email, Brox suggested that Harmon Hawks player Darrin
Hawkins is the “best all-around performer” he has seen this year.
Keep in mind that Brox has cut numerous highlights for KCK
Preps and Sport Highlights Unlimited (his highlights service) throughout the
year. This is not someone who has seen just three or four teams.
This summer, Hawkins was our choice for the KCKAL Preseason Defensive
Player of the Year, but it’s not just on defense Hawkins is known for.
He’s a very good wide receiver – he would easily be the top
guy at most Wyandotte County schools – and him and Steve Williams down in
Bonner Springs would make a sick combo.
He’s filled in for Isaiah Ming at the running back position.
What’s impressive about “Hawk” is that he performs well
at every single position he plays. He's like Denzel Washington or Tom Hanks - two actors who have succeeded in playing various movie roles. Like Washington or Hanks, it's also tough to find something Hawkins does not achieve well at.
There are a ton of two-way players in
Wyandotte County, but it's obvious at what position most of those players excel at.
For example, no one would confuse Schlagle’s J’veyon
Browning as Mike Singletary, the all-time great linebacker for the Chicago
Bears’ Super Bowl winning team in 1984-85. He’s a very good running back, but
he’s offensive first – and that’s something you cannot forget.
Nick Rodriguez, like Hawkins, has played numerous positions.
He’s now playing offensive line and while he’s stepped up for the Turner Golden
Bears, you’re not going to forget he’s a linebacker.
Vernon Vaughn from Sumner Academy previously played defense.
But his position is wide receiver. Last year, Armand Brisbane was a two-way
player and he was known as the quarterback.
The point is, I’m not sure what position Hawkins should be
categorized as.
He’s obviously a great linebacker. He’s a really good wide
receiver and in the right offensive system, he would be a dynamite running
back. I also think he would be a great quarterback in the “Single Wing Offense” (one like Baldwin runs)
or another option-like running attack.
Hawkins is also a very smart ballplayer. He rarely makes
mistakes and while I’ve seen some incredibly dumb penalties committed by all
teams across Wyandotte County, Hawkins uses his head while on the field.
He’s bruiser, but he’s an incredibly smart player.
If I’m a college scout, Hawkins would be near the top of my
list. He’s a great utility guy who can fill a lot of
skill-position needs.
Since he’s not a stats guy and does not crack the end zone a
lot, he’s probably not going to win too many awards.
But there’s a very good argument that Hawkins is the best
overall player in Wyandotte County and he may have the best skill-set out of anyone.
Don’t overlook him.
It’s unfortunate Hawkins is playing on a 3-3 team in Kansas
City, Kan.
He has great ability that would translate well in the very
successful Johnson County programs and he would be on the all-metro radar for various
awards given out by media sources outside of KCK Preps.
He deserves every kind word given to him.
