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Jun. 24—Since Johnson's Ty Hawkins was 12 years old, he has wanted to be an Elite 11 quarterback.
Last week, his dream came true.
"When I got the call (from the Elite 11 staff), I instantly called both my mom and my dad and told them the news," Hawkins said. "They were super proud of me and happy because that is something that I've been working towards since I was younger. It's been my main goal. So they were super proud of me when I told them."
The Elite 11 is a three-day showcase of some of the nation's top-rising senior quarterbacks. Elite 11 event alumni include 28 of the past 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks and 16 of the past 17 quarterbacks who have hoisted the Heisman Trophy, according to elite11.com.
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Hawkins, a TCU commit, was one of 20 quarterbacks selected to participate in the 2024 Elite 11 Finals.
He also was one of two quarterbacks from Texas to be selected to the finals. Duncanville's Keelon Russell, an Alabama commit, won the tournament's MVP trophy.
"The competition level was super high, and all the quarterbacks out there knew it," Hawkins said. "So then we knew we had to give our best. And I was really just looking forward to competing with all the top quarterbacks because that's the event for top quarterbacks to show what they can do."
Hawkins said he enjoyed working with the bevy of quarterback coaches in Los Angeles.
"It's honestly the best quarterback coaches in the nation," Hawkins said. "The information that they tell you and the meetings that you go through gives you a higher level of knowledge of the quarterback position and everything that comes with that."
The 6-foot quarterback said working with Sean McEvoy, a quarterback coach, helped him during his three days at the tournament.
"(He) gave me a better experience by being personal with me and coaching me like a person and actually getting to know me," Hawkins said. "Also, giving me all the tips and little tricks that they know to get better."
Hawkins wasn't rated as one of the top 11 quarterbacks at the camp, but he finished the 7-on-7 portion 15-of-23 with six touchdowns. He said the 7-on-7 segment was his favorite portion because the other drills were more stagnant. Some of the drills and competitions at the Elite 11 include throwing passes into stationary nets.
"(The) 7-on-7 part was actually real football, so the receivers are moving and doing stuff that I'm used to," Hawkins said.
According to the Director of Scouting and Rankings for On3, "Hawkins showed explosive lateral agility along with a live arm. He wasn't always the most consistent of the bunch, but the pure physical tools checked out."
Jayden Daniels, Bryce Young, and Caleb Williams, the last three Heisman Trophy winners, also participated in the Elite 11 Finals over the years. These quarterbacks were considered dual-threats, just like Hawkins.
During his time in Los Angeles, Hawks formed a bond with fellow Elite 11 quarterbacks TJ Lateef and Kamario Taylor.
After the Elite 11 was over, Hawkins flew to his official visit at TCU.
"I had a great time up there with all the coaches, and just the relationships that we have are really good because I feel comfortable up there," Hawkins said. "I know all the coaches and even the same coaches, so it just feels comfortable being up there, and it feels like home."
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