After two years in Ohio State’s program, redshirt freshman tight end Kierre Hawkins is leaving.
An Ohio State spokesman confirmed Hawkins’ is “departing,” but said he did not know the tight end’s destination. Ryan Donnelly, a recruiting analyst for Rivals, tweeted a screenshot of a post from Hawkins’ Instagram in which he is wearing a Youngstown State jersey with the caption, “New beginnings. Everyone’s journey is different. In God’s hands.” Hawkins’ Instagram account is protected.
Per his Instagram post, it looks like Ohio State tight end and former Maple Heights (Ohio) four-star Kierre Hawkins will be transferring to Youngstown State pic.twitter.com/J5u6VLxJ8g
— Ryan Donnelly (@RivalsRyan) December 12, 2017
A former four-star recruit, Hawkins has not taken a snap in his two years at Ohio State. He entered the program in a class with three tight ends, including Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann. Hawkins fell behind both Farrell and Hausman on the depth chart, as well as redshirt senior Marcus Baugh and redshirt sophomore Rashod Berry.
The Buckeyes hold a commitment from Jeremy Ruckert, the top-ranked tight end in the 2018 recruiting cycle. Also, redshirt sophomore tight end A.J. Alexander, who missed the 2017 season with a knee injury, will return next season.
Hawkins, a Maple Heights, Ohio, native, was the 329th-best overall prospect and the 13th-ranked tight end in the 2016 class, according to 247Sports composite rankings.
