FAYETTEVILLE -- Eric Hawkins has displayed the speed of a wide receiver who can be a play-maker in the SEC since he first arrived at Arkansas in the fall of 2012.
That speed helped Hawkins become a sprinter for the Razorbacks' national powerhouse track and field team.
This spring, the redshirt junior from Longview, Texas, is showing he may finally possess the receiver skills to go with his ability to run by defenders.
"I like the progress that Eric's making," receivers coach Michael Smith said. "My biggest deal with him is that he continues to stay consistent, but I really love the way he's practicing.
"For a guy that's been in the program for three years, it's time of him to step up."
Hawkins, who didn't catch a pass last season, has six receptions for 145 yards in the Razorbacks' two spring scrimmages.
"I think Eric's come a long way from where he was at this time a year ago," senior starting quarterback Brandon Allen said. "He's devoted himself to wanting to play and be part of the offense. He's stayed in his playbook.
"He's not having assignment or route issues. That's always big when you can trust someone to be where they're supposed to be. He's making plays for us now."
Hawkins caught a short pass from backup quarterback Austin Allen on a crossing route in the Razorbacks' first scrimmage and used his speed to get to the sideline and outrun the defense to the end zone for a 63-yard touchdown.
"He's been catching the ball consistently all spring," Austin Allen said. "We all know how fast he can be. I think he'll be a big threat if he keeps this up."
A more impressive play for Hawkins in the first scrimmage than his touchdown might have been the catch he made over the middle when he held on to the ball for a first down despite absorbing a big hit from safety Santos Ramirez.
"Eric is more confident at catching in traffic," Ramirez said. "He's not timid. He may get hit, but he doesn't care. He's just going for the ball."
Dan Enos, who became Arkansas' offensive coordinator in January, said he likes what he's seen from Hawkins.
"When he's had the chance to catch the ball, for the most part he's caught it, and he's created some explosive plays," Enos said. "He's got something you can't coach with his speed, and we need that.
"Hopefully, he continues to improve and develop so we can find a role for him next season."
Hawkins said he wants to show coaches and teammates they can depend on him because he knows what to do on every play and apply his skills as needed.
"By the end of the spring I want Coach Enos to be able to walk past me in the hallway and call out a play, and I'll tell him what everybody's route is and who's blocking who and all that," Hawkins said.
Hawkins smiled when told Enos said it was good to see him take the hit from Ramirez and make the catch.
"For me the big thing is to catch it and give us a new set of downs," Hawkins said. "That means Coach Enos can open his playbook and pretty much call whatever he wants to call."
Ramirez said Hawkins didn't complain about the hit.
"E-Hawk just went back to the huddle and did his thing," Ramirez said. "He's coming along and getting better and better every day. He does what the coaches ask of him and he goes out on the field and produces."
Hawkins said he's matured and learned from Smith and Enos and older players such as senior receiver Keon Hatcher.
"When I'm in the huddle with some of the young players and they don't know what to do, they'll say, 'Hawk, what do I do?' " Hawkins said. "I know I have younger guys looking up to me, and if I have that on my shoulders I've got to step up."
Hawkins returned eight kickoffs for 163 yards the past two seasons, but his only receptions came in 2013 when he had three catches for 32 yards.
Smith said Hawkins had been held back previously as a receiver because of inconsistency, including dropped passes and missed assignments such as lining up in the wrong spots or not running precise routes.
Smith said Hawkins has taken pride in not repeating those mistakes this spring.
"He's worked on a lot of things from a technical standpoint," Smith said. "He's understanding how to use his hips to help him get in and out of his breaks better.
"I think he's had a good spring so far, but I expect a lot out of him and I'm going to keep pushing him. Hopefully, he can go into the summer feeling like he's in the rotation, which he is right now
"He can be a tremendous wide receiver."
Sports on 04/15/2015