Arkansas is still sorting out who will be the featured targets in its passing game, but Jamari Hawkins has already carved out a clear role in the room: steady, familiar and ready to help however the offense needs him.
The fifth-year receiver arrived with an edge that comes from knowing the system inside and out. Hawkins spent his first four seasons at Memphis under Ryan Silverfield, now the head coach at Arkansas, and he followed Silverfield, along with offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey, wide receivers coach Larry Smith and later quarterbacks coach Mitch Stewart, to Fayetteville. That comfort level has shown up early in fall camp.
Hawkins, a 5-10, 188-pound native of Mobile, Ala., played in 38 games for Memphis and made 11 of his 12 starts last season. He posted 38 catches for 623 yards, averaging 16.4 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns.
He also handled kick returns, bringing back three for 91 yards, a 30.3-yard average. Now in his final year of eligibility, he has been one of the more noticeable wideouts in camp.
“Just seeing him come in and being able to raise his level of play to come in here and compete, I've been very pleased with him,” Arkansas wide receivers coach Larry Smith said on Monday. “One thing I've been trying to harp on him about is being a little more vocal, and he's starting to get outside of his shell and speak up a little bit more.
“He's a guy that understands the OTB (own the ball) and the importance of the culture that Coach Silverfield and [Arkansas offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey ] and everyone else around here preaches. I've been pleased with Jamari and his growth and his development of getting outside of his comfort zone.
“He was at Memphis for four years, at a place where he never really was put in a leadership position. But him coming here, understanding this is his fifth year, he's a vet in our system, so he's very comfortable with everything that we do, and it's good to see him step up and be more vocal and speak up and get outside of his shell.
Hawkins said the move felt natural because so much of what he knows stayed the same. For him, the staff continuity mattered as much as anything.
“My whole life, I've just always been on one team,” Hawkins said. “Park ball, middle school, high school.
I've always been on one team. Even though we're in a new place, having the same coaches and same people around me, is just something that I'm really comfortable with.
Also, I genuinely enjoy the people on the staff, even outside of Coach Smith.
“I've always been around good staff, and I even have times that I just go up there and just talk with them, not even football, just have conversations and just have fun. I genuinely enjoy the people that I'm around.
“I really didn't think about it. They all kind of went.
I was like, 'All right, I guess we're going.' And then as soon as the portal opened, there was no thought to it.
If they never left, then I was definitely going to finish my fifth year at Memphis for sure.”
On the field, Hawkins has been working in the slot throughout camp and is in the mix for the starting job with senior Ismael Cisse and junior Jelani Watkins. He said the competition is exactly the kind he wants.
“I'm just here for everybody,” Hawkins said. “Have fun.
When [Cisse] makes a play, I'm glad he makes a play. I'm all about the team.
I want to win games. Coming from Memphis, my whole college career, I haven't lost a lot.
I don't want to lose games.
“So whoever's going to make the plays, me, [Cisse], I'm still competing because of course, I want to play, but I never get mad or anything like that. If anything, I'm glad.
Arkansas wrapped up Day 5 of camp on Monday and is back at it for Day 6 on Tuesday as the countdown continues toward the regular-season opener against North Alabama.
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