Hawkins taking some more time to decide

Following his trip to Boulder, Tayler Hawkins contemplated making a commitment to Colorado this week.

While the Buffaloes remain at the top of his list, the three-star prospect from Palm Springs (Calif.) High has decided he wants to visit at least one more college before making the call.

"After talking it over with my family, I plan to wait a little bit longer now," said Hawkins, a 6-foot-0, 185-pound two-way standout. "I am definitely feeling strong about Colorado still, I just want to be able to compare my visit there to somewhere else."

Hawkins has other official visits lined up with Washington State for Jan. 15, San Diego State for Jan. 22 and Fresno State for Jan. 29. The Cougars and Buffaloes have been showing the most interest in him.

"I definitely like how hard Washington State has been on me and I like how it is located in a college town. I want to learn more about their Business school and their depth at my position," Hawkins said. "I probably won't wait until after all my visits to commit, though. I might make a decision after my Washington State visit."

Hawkins is not able to check out any colleges the next four weekends because the current recruiting dead period, which began on Monday, restricts visits.

"I want to take more visits now and just be done but it is not like that unfortunately so I just have to roll with it," he said. "It is what it is."

All of the aforementioned colleges have offered Hawkins a scholarship. He also received offers from Arizona State, Colorado State, Nevada, San Jose State, Washington and Wyoming earlier in the process.

Both Colorado and Washington State are recruiting Hawkins as an athlete, although the Buffaloes would likely play him at defensive back, while the Cougars are looking at him more as a wide receiver prospect.

Special teams coordinator Toby Neinas was responsible for Hawkins' recruitment, but since Neinas will not be back on the Buffs' staff in 2016, cornerbacks coach Charles Clark has taken over those duties.

"I talked to Coach Clark the other day. He is a really good coach," Hawkins said. "A lot of things stand out to me about Colorado. I like the football team and the way they started to play good defense last season. They are building their program around a strong defense. And I know if I went there, Coach Clark would put me in a position to succeed."

Hawkins accounted for 1,222 all-purpose yards, 18 touchdowns, 46 tackles and five interceptions while helping Palm Springs to 11 wins and a Desert Valley League championship this fall. He is currently ranked as the 88th best prospect from California this cycle.

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