[1] As a senior, he was a starter at linebacker, receiving region and district Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Hawkes was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers after the 2000 NFL draft on April 26.
He played in 2 games before being released on October 24, to make room for linebacker Darren Hambrick.
On February 12, he was allocated to the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football.
[2] He was named the starter at middle linebacker for the Claymores, while recording 10 starts, 43 tackles (second on the team), one sack, 3 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.