Miami Football: 15 greatest players of the Jimmy Johnson era

• 22 Sacks seventh in Miami history
• 1988 Consensus All-American

Bill Hawkins was a consensus All-American in 1988. Hawkins had 67 tackles, 18.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks during his All-American season. Hawkins built up to his All-America status with 62 tackles and seven sacks in his first as a freshman in 1986 and followed that up with 84 tackles, 14 TFLs and 6.5 sacks in 1987.

Hawkins is sixth in Miami football history with 22 sacks and also had 223 tackles, 19 TFLs four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Playing during the final four seasons of the Johnson era, Hawkins was part of a Miami team that was 44-4 from 1985 through 1988 that finished 44-4.

Hawkins was a finalist for the Lombardi Award as the best defensive lineman in college football as a senior. Following his Miami career, Hawkins was the 21st pick overall and five defensive linemen selected in the 1989 NFL Draft. Hawkins was named to the NFL All-Rookie team after recording 11 tackles in 1989.

Hawkins never completely recovered after tearing his ACL during his third season in 1992. In five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Hawkins had five sacks. Hawkins was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. After his playing career ended, Hawkins became a lawyer.