Daryle Hawkins is a puzzle piece. A really fast, skilled and smart one. And in the intricate and ever-changing jigsaw that is the Oregon Ducks football rotation, Hawkins has tried to fit a few times but hasn’t been locked into place quite yet. He’s been stuck into a multitude of scenarios and although a seemingly solid fit, he hasn’t found the right home. So Hawkins has been put aside. The Ducks’ coaching staff knows he is an integral part of the future, but until the rest of the Oregon enigma has been pieced together, Hawkins won’t see a permanent home. Having been on campus for two years now (one as a redshirt, the other playing minimal time) Hawkins is ready to be placed and prove he is an important element of the Ducks’ puzzle.
Oregon Daily Emerald: You were an unranked, two-star quarterback recruit coming out of Nebraska and were offered scholarships by Oregon and Northern Iowa. Nebraska had an interest in you but did not offer you a scholarship. Explain to me what your college options were and why the decision to come to Oregon was made.
Daryle Hawkins: Oregon was my only D-I offer. I was completely set for going to Northern Iowa. It wasn’t until the week before signing day that Oregon offered me a scholarship. I wanted to come to a place where I could win a national championship.
ODE: You ran track and played football and basketball in high school. You won the basketball state title three of your four years there. Was basketball at the college level an opportunity and how much do you miss it?
DH: Probably when I was a little kid, I would have told you I wanted to play basketball because it was my first love. But as I got older, football became my best option to go to a big university. In high school, as far as next level, I was thinking football or track. I definitely miss it though. Some days I wish I could spend all day playing at the rec.
ODE: Former NFL running backs Ahman Green and Gale Sayers went to your high school. Do you ever think people will list Daryle Hawkins up there, as a famous Omaha Central HS Alum?
DH: I sure hope so. Definitely coming here has taken me one step closer to getting to that level, so now all I have to do now is perform.
ODE: You came to Oregon as a quarterback and were the leader of the scout team your redshirt year from that position. You prepared all last spring as a passer and it looked like you would be Darron Thomas and Nate Costa’s backup. When the season started you played at quarterback, running back and receiver. How did you feel about playing all over?
DH: It goes to show that hard work pays off. If I wasn’t working so hard, then they wouldn’t be trying so hard in finding a place for me on the field. Being behind those guys made it hard to get time at quarterback, but I just want to help the team any way I can.
ODE: Where do you expect to play on the field most next year, and how much time do you think you will see?
DH: That’s a very good question. If I had to say where I would see the most time, I would say receiver. Most receiving positions are interchangeable, and that’s my biggest opportunity to get in the game. Your guess is as good as mine, though, for playing time. It will clear itself out in spring ball. But until we go down to Texas to play LSU, the starting lineup won’t be set. Whoever works the hardest keeps their spot or takes someone else’s.
ODE: Since there are quite a few versatile athletes that are in your situation, in that they could play a multitude of skill positions, how do find a balance between being friends with everyone while competing against so many?
DH: It goes without saying that we all have naturally competitive personalities. We know when it’s time to go to work, but I wouldn’t say there is any animosity in the competition; it’s all about respect.
ODE: The Ducks’ offense next year looks to be stacked with talent, both returners and fresh faces. It seems as though there aren’t enough positions on the field to fit all the deserving players, including yourself. Is that frustrating for you?
DH: It’s definitely not frustrating. If anything, it’s exciting. Coaches will put the best out there, and if you are out there on the field, that means you are really good and you worked hard to get minutes. Just being a part of the team is kind of something special.
ODE: Who is the most underrated player on the team?
DH: Justin Hoffman definitely is one of the hardest-working kids on the team. He earned his scholarship and playing time last year. Getting him out of that 96 jersey to the 81 was great. We do this thing called last man standing in practice, which is basically up-downs until we can’t do up-downs anymore. He is always one of the finalists. Always.
ODE: What is the best part of your game?
DH: The best part of my game is my knowledge as a QB. I can read the entire defense from any position because I’m a quarterback. When I’m at quarterback, I make all the reads. At running back, I can see and pickup the blitzes; receiver, I can see the coverage.
ODE: Tell me your best football-related story.
DH: I will always remember special teams meetings. We usually have something going into every game drawn up special. Those are my favorite plays to practice because we just wait for those in the game. And watching it happen is awesome. Like when Jackson Rice took the snap and just handed it right to Robbie Beard up the middle or that onside kick against Stanford. All of the special teams stuff takes you back to backyard football. Those plays make it still feel like it’s just a game.
ODE: When you are at your peak as an Oregon football player? Where do you see yourself being position-wise and performance-wise?
DH: The only person who knows how I feel is Darren McFadden, the wildcat. Arkansas is where they originated the wildcat formation when he was there. I want to be the wildcat player. I want to pass for a thousand yards, run for a thousand yards and catch for a thousand yards.
ODE: The first game of the college football season for 2011 is Oregon against LSU in Dallas Cowboys Stadium. What will your stat-line be?
DH: Oh, I got to start first! I will be happy if I see a win. If I get three pancake blocks on the outside and we get a “W,” that’s just as good as 200 receiving yards if it’s a loss.
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