Louisville RB Javian Hawkins opts out to prepare for NFL Draft

Hawkins didn't participate in this past Saturday's 31-17 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers that dropped Louisville to 2-6 on the campaign. 

Per David M. Hale of ESPN, Hawkins leaves the program third in the ACC with 822 rushing yards. He also contributed seven rushing touchdowns and 16 catches for 127 yards and a score. 

He tallied 1,525 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for Louisville in 2019. 

As of Nov. 11, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper ranked Hawkins sixth among running backs eligible for next year's draft. Charlie Campbell of Walter Football projects Hawkins will be a late-round draft selection. 

"Hawkins was an impressive runner for Louisville in 2019, showing a burst and an ability to handle a workload despite being undersized," Campbell wrote back in August. "For the next level, Hawkins needs to fill out his frame and show more receiving ability."

Hawkins is listed at 5-foot-9 and 196 pounds. He leaves Louisville with 21 career receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown.