The East Carolina Pirates have made a big splash in the 2028 recruiting cycle, securing a commitment from 4‑star quarterback Trace Hawkins of Calhoun, Georgia—one of the top signal‑callers in the nation for his class.
Hawkins, a rising star from Calhoun High School, first gained national attention by leading his team to the Georgia state championship as a freshman, an achievement that immediately put him on the radar of major college programs. His poise, arm strength, and leadership have made him one of the most talked‑about prospects in the Southeast.
Strong recruiting pedigree and offers:
Throughout the recruiting cycle, Hawkins has picked up scholarship offers from several Power Five and high‑profile programs, including Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, Duke, and Indiana. Schools have been drawn to his combination of early on‑field success and potential to develop into a future star at the collegiate level.
Under the direction of head coach Blake Harrell, the Pirates’ coaching staff has invested effort in building a strong relationship with Hawkins and his family. ECU’s offensive vision and promised opportunity to compete for playing time early in his college career were key factors that helped secure his pledge. His decision signals confidence in the direction Harrell is leading the program and represents a major recruiting victory for the Pirates.
For ECU, adding Hawkins provides long‑term stability at the quarterback position and gives the Pirates an early cornerstone around which to build their 2028 class. With roster turnover and offensive needs to address, Hawkins’s arrival offers optimism among fans and analysts that ECU will be more competitive and dynamic in the years to come.
Pirates supporters are particularly excited by Hawkins’s potential to make an impact right away. Given his performance in high school and the breadth of interest from major programs, expectations are high that he will bring an immediate boost to ECU’s offense once he arrives on campus.
This commitment also underscores ECU’s growing presence in recruiting elite talent beyond its traditional footprint, positioning the program to challenge for depth and success in the American Athletic Conference and beyond.
