Alliance football's Ramhir Hawkins eyes new school receiving record on eve of 2023 season
Few players exemplify the phrase "human highlight reel" quite like Alliance Aviator wide receiver Ramhir Hawkins.
Hawkins is a sure-handed flash of lightning on the football field who can seemingly strike from anywhere at anytime, making him a favorite of teammates and coaches.
"Ramhir is the type of player that makes our job easy," Alliance head coach Tim Goodman said. "He will make you look really smart if you just get him the ball and let him do his thing. I can't tell you how nice that is to have."
Perhaps the best part about Hawkins is the fact he has sure hands to go with his blazing speed. He set the school record with 62 receptions last season on the way to helping Alliance to an 8-3 record. If there were any questions if Hawkins would be satisfied with that result they were answered quickly in the offseason.
"One of the first things he did when offseason workouts began is to come up and ask what the record is for most receiving yards in a season at Alliance was," Goodman said. "We looked it up and the number is 1,296. He looked at us and told us that was his number for the upcoming season."
It's a goal well within reach for Hawkins. He racked up nearly 1,000 yards through the air last year and plays in a prolific offense with a quarterback who is verbally committed to Oklahoma in Brendan Zurbrugg. He also plays across from a big, physical wide receiver in K'Vaughn Davis who attracts his fair share of attention as well.
"It would mean everything to find a way to get that record," Hawkins said. "My mind has been on it since they told me what the number was at the end of last season. I've been working towards it every day in the offseason."
That drive and a sense of humility make Hawkins beloved by teammates. Some with the ability Hawkins has might be frustrated at feeling overlooked for his contributions at times. That's not the case for Hawkins.
"I'm fine with it," Hawkins said. "It doesn't matter who gets the credit if we succeed as long as we succeed. I love my teammates. I've been playing with these guys since I was in middle school so I want all of them to do well."
It's a trait that does not go overlooked.
"He's just an extremely humble kid," Goodman said. "He never gets jealous about the success or attention anyone else on the team receives. He knows his role. He works hard. He gets along with everybody. He is well respected by his teammates and does a great job of leading by example."
That doesn't mean Hawkins won't speak up if he sees something he doesn't like.
"I've seen him go into the huddle and tell guys they need to pick it up if he sees something that isn't to his liking," Goodman said. "It tends to get the attention of his teammates when he does it. The general thought is that if Ramhir is seeing something he doesn't like enough to start talking than we as a group need to start listening."
Hawkins will begin his run at the Alliance record for receiving yards in a season when the Aviators open the season at Lake at 7 p.m. Friday.
Reach Cliff at cliff.hickman@cantonrep.com
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ramhir Hawkins eyes Alliance football receiving yards record
