A native of Saginaw, Michigan, Hawkins attended Arthur Hill High School.

In the three seasons that Hawkins played for the Wolverines, the team had a combined record of 21-3 and outscored opponents 532 to 69.

[2][3][4] As a sophomore in 1923, Hawkins was 6 feet tall, weighed 185 pounds, and started four games at right guard.

[8][9][10] He was selected as a third-team All-American by several selectors, including an Inter-Sectional Board of Football Coaches (including Tad Jones, Knute Rockne and Glenn "Pop" Warner),[11] Chicago Tribune football writer Walter Eckersall,[12] and Herbert Reed.

[15] He was also the winner of the hammer throw even at the 1926 Penn relays and the 1926 Big Ten Conference outdoor track meet.

[14] Hawkins graduated in 1926 with a degree in mechanical engineering and had a successful career in the automobile industry.