BOULDER – Appearing miscast on the practice field next to offensive linemen and other behemoths, Colorado’s 5-foot-11 Cody Hawkins could be mistaken for the water boy or some coach’s kid who wandered off. Scratch the last part – he is the head coach’s kid.
And through six games of his first season, Hawkins is very much in control as the Buffaloes’ quarterback, even if at first glance he might look out of place.
There isn’t a stereotype for his position that Hawkins hasn’t broken. Weighing 190 pounds, he’s not big. He is not particularly quick or nimble, either. Arm strength? Perhaps a bit above average but certainly not a cannon.
“There are other ways to get it done,” CU offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said.
Intelligence. A feel for the game. Natural leadership skills. Throwing a catchable pass that drops softly into a receiver’s hands like an autumn leaf.
“One of the greatest quarterbacks at throwing on the run was Joe Montana, and he wasn’t a great athlete,” Helfrich explained. “Don’t get me wrong, Cody isn’t Joe Montana. But Cody has some of the same attributes.”
A redshirt freshman, the 19-year-old Hawkins is getting it done, and the team is getting it done. Colorado (4-2, 2-0) leads the Big 12 North Division entering its game Saturday night at Kansas State (3-2, 1-1). The Buffs already have doubled their total victories in 2006. They stand just two wins shy of becoming bowl-eligible. The kid quarterback is a major reason for the turnaround.
Hawkins has thrown for 1,457 yards and is tied for sixth among Big 12 quarterbacks in touchdown passes with 10. He sat on the sideline last season when Colorado ranked last in the league in passing by a wide margin.
“Getting to watch last year really helped in my mental preparation,” Hawkins said. “I had to know the game plan because I was one play away from playing.”
Bernard Jackson stayed healthy, so Hawkins preserved his redshirt season. Coming out of the gate throwing in 2007, Hawkins passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, a 31-28 overtime victory over Colorado State at Invesco Field at Mile High.
No family favoritism
Through the midway point of the season, Hawkins has quieted skeptics who figured he got the starting job because he was Dan Hawkins’ son.
On the contrary, senior wideout Dusty Sprague said those who aren’t aware of Cody’s family ties probably would never suspect anything from watching practices or games. If anything, Dan Hawkins might be harder on his kid. Cody can take it.
“All the qualities we thought he had, they have come out when it matters,” Helfrich said. “The main thing Cody has to improve upon is his snap decision-making. He might force one or two balls a game. That’s just a learning experience.”
Cody has thrown nine interceptions. That’s tied for second-most in the Big 12.
Rubbing it in a bit, Dan Hawkins calls them “mulligans.” Good golfers don’t have them. Good quarterbacks shouldn’t, either.
Taking pride in being a tough teacher, Dan Hawkins termed Cody’s performance through six games as “OK – not great, but not bad, either.”
“I think he’s handled everything awesome,” Dan Hawkins said. “He’s been very polished, very poised. The coach’s son thing or the freshman thing or the opponent thing … to me, he’s been a stud through all that stuff.
“As a player, I think he’s done well for a guy his age. With more time, we sure hope we get over some of those glitches.”
Two interceptions came off deflections, two others popped off the fingertips of receivers. But a pass that floated against Miami (Ohio) and a late throw over the middle against Baylor suggest Cody Hawkins still has much to learn.
Among Big 12 teams, Colorado is tied with Texas for ninth in turnover margin.
“You always want a clean game,” Cody said. “But you can’t go out there thinking not to throw an interception. Worrying about that will mess you up.”
Cody’s height, or lack thereof, has not been an issue. Thus far, he said he has failed to see a receiver only once, against Arizona State. Dan Hawkins said his son is tall enough.
“We’ve got Tyler Polumbus at 6-7 or 6-8, and Ryan Miller who is about the same,” the coach said, referring to his biggest offensive tackles. “I mean, how can any quarterback be tall enough to see over those guys? Cody is able to find lanes, and we create lanes for him.”
Added leadership skills
In addition to winning all the games and taking better care of the ball, Cody’s resolutions for remainder of the season include becoming a more vocal leader.
“I like to talk and get people fired up, but I’ve had my feelers out for the first half of the season,” he said. “As I continue to get more comfortable with the guys on the team, that will have to step up.”
Polumbus, a senior, has been impressed with Cody’s confidence and pocket presence. It’s easy to forget in the huddle that Cody is only a redshirt freshman, the lineman said.
“I feel like it’s Joel Klatt back there again,” Polumbus said, referring to the former Buffs quarterback (2002-05) who was regarded as a consummate leader. “Cody’s knowledge of the game is unbelievable. He knows where everybody is on the field.
“He’s not a freshman. He’s our quarterback.”
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
Big 12’s young QB starters
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Redshirt freshman, 1,423 passing yards, 18 TDs. Was also a prep basketball star, played youth hockey.
Josh Freeman, Kansas State
Sophomore, 1,309 yards, 4 TDs. At 6-feet-6, 250 pounds, he’s built like NFL first pick JaMarcus Russell.
Cody Hawkins, Colorado
Redshirt freshman, 1,457 yards, 10 TDs. Son of CU coach Dan Hawkins, has a feel for the game.
Colt McCoy, Texas
Sophomore, 1,578 yards, 10 TDs. Showed signs against Oklahoma of snapping out of a sophomore slump.
Todd Reesing, Kansas
Sophomore, 1,466 yards, 14 TDs. Listed at 5-feet-11, he might be closer to 5-9 but is cool under pressure.
Zac Robinson, Oklahoma State
Sophomore, 1,094 yards, 9 TDs. Former Chatfield High School star unseated incumbent starter Bobby Reid.
Blake Szymanski, Baylor
Sophomore, 1,815 passing yards, 15 TDs. Third 400-yard game of season was against CU (410).
Tom Kensler
