He was recruited to KU to play tight end, but moved to defense, and eventually ended up on the offensive line. He was a freshman All-American in 2009 at tackle for the University of Kansas protecting Todd Reesing's blind side. Hawkinson was also a second-team All Big-12 player as a senior in 2012. He had three coaches in his five years at KU in Mark Mangino, Turner Gill, and Charlie Weis.
Professional career
He was selected in the fifth round, 156th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft.[1] Hawkinson was waived by Cincinnati as part of the final 53-man roster cuts on September 5, 2015.
On September 7, 2015, Hawkinson was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.