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New Mountaineer DL Davoan Hawkins Feels WVU Can Help Him Get to Next Level

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Davoan Hawkins couldn’t turn down the chance to experience the Power 5 level of college football again, especially with a program that guaranteed him they will put you in a position to succeed.

WVSN spoke with the defensive line transfer, who just signed to play his final season of eligibility with West Virginia after spending the past four years with Tennessee State, about what the WVU coaching staff has been telling him, what role he expects to have as a Mountaineer and his plans for the future.

Aside from the opportunity to play in the Big 12, Hawkins partly fell in love with WVU for the facilities that the program now can offer its players. WVU has made renovations in recent years to the practice facility, work out rooms, training areas and even installed other amenities.

West Virginia Football Grants Tour as Part of Series of College Football Facilities

“The strength and conditioning staff and everything built around it, plus the nutrition fuel and recovery room,” were highlighted by Hawkins as major selling points that made him know West Virginia was the place to to take his game to its next level. He feels WVU’s emphasis on nutrition and building an athlete’s body the right way will provide him with the necessary tools to become the best player possible.

Seeing everything the campus and program have to offer was one thing, but Hawkins also said when he heard comments like “we’re going to put you in place to be a pro, but only you can make it happen” from the West Virginia coaches, in particular head coach Neal Brown and defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley, he knew WVU was where he needed to be.

For any member of Mountaineer Nation unfamiliar with Hawkins, he says he tries to emulate his game after NFL All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion Von Miller. He said he enjoys how Miller uses athleticism to his advantage. But it’s another all-time great who Hawkins mentioned as his ultimate hero.

Even though the late Reggie White last appeared in an NFL game in 2000 and passed away in 2004 before Hawkins was born, the young pass rusher holds the Pro Football Hall of Famer and football legend up as the pinnacle of excellence at his position.

With the right mentality, tons of experience already on his side, the coaches and facility behind him, all signs point to Hawkins being able to make the most out of his one year as a Mountaineer.

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