Bill Hawkins ( American football ) William E . Hawkins ( born May 9 , 1966 ) is a former professional American football defensive end who played four seasons for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League and was an All - American at the University of Miami . High school . Hawkins was born in Miami , Florida . He was an All - State selection and second - team high school All - American at South Broward High School , ( Florida ) , in 1983 . His 3 . 85 GPA was the highest on the football team . College . Hawkins was a 3 - year starter at the University of Miami at defensive end . redshirted in 1984 and as a freshman , in 1985 , he was a backup and recorded 10 tackles . As a sophomore he moved into the starting lineup and had 62 tackles ( 10 for a loss ) and 7 sacks . In 1987 , as a junior he recorded 84 tackles with 14 of them going for a loss to go with his 6 . 5 sacks . In 1988 , as a senior Hawkins was a First - team All - American selection by the Walter Camp Foundation and the AFCA . He was a Second - team All - American selection by the AP , UPI and " Sporting News " . In 1988 Hawkins tallied 67 tackles ( 18 for a loss ) and 7 . 5 sacks . He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award . His coach , Jimmy Johnson called him , " the most consistent lineman he ever coached . " While at the " U " Hawkins earned a degree in Finance , with a B average . In his four years at Miami the Hurricanes had a 44 - 4 win - loss record and Hawkins played in four " New Years ' Day " bowl games : a January 1 , 1986 , 35 - 7 loss to the University of Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl ; a January 2 , 1987 , 14 - 10 loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl ; a 20 - 14 win over the University of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on January 1 , 1988 , and a 23 - 3 win over the University of Nebraska on January 2 , 1989 in the Orange Bowl . The Hurricanes were National Champions after the 1987 season and the victory over Oklahoma . Hawkins is a member of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame . Professional career . Pre - draft . Hawkins measured 6 ' 6 1 / 16 " and 260 pounds at the NFL Combine . Had a " superb showing " at the combine . He ran the 40 - yard dash in 4 . 73 . Was described as a " Polished player with 5 years experience on one of nation ' s top teams . Very intelligent . Positive influence on teammates . Type of lineman who would adapt well to the many adjustments . " Was reported to have good quickness and leaping ability along with a good " closing burst " and " good upper - body strength and runs well for a big guy " Los Angeles Rams . Hawkins was the 21st selection in the 1st round of the 1989 NFL Draft and was the 5th defensive end chosen , behind Burt Grossman ( San Diego Chargers ) , Trace Armstrong ( Chicago Bears ) , Jeff Lageman ( New York Jets ) , and Wayne Martin ( New Orleans Saints ) . Rams Coach John Robinson stated , " Bill is the kind of player that can develop into a big - time pass rusher , the kind of player we ' ve talked about getting but could not find " . After a prolonged holdout Hawkins signed a reported four - year , $ 1 . 9 - million contract that included a $ 750 , 000 signing bonus on August 18 , 1989 . He played in 13 games , starting 1 , as a rookie and was voted All - Rookie despite missing the final three games with a left knee injury . Finished season with 11 tackles with a high of 6 against the Dallas Cowboys on December 3 , 1989 . He also forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Larry Kelm securing the 35 - 31 win . In 1990 Hawkins played in 15 games without a start . He was slow to recover from his knee injury which ended his 1989 season . He played mostly defensive tackle in the Rams " Eagle " defense , which was a pass rush scheme . In that role Hawkins made 9 tackles and 3 sacks , with 2 of the sacks coming against the Atlanta Falcons on December 23 , 1990 . He also batted away two passes in 1990 . Hawkins also began pursuing a law degree in 1990 . Injuries and an incompatible defensive style reduced contributions in his first two seasons . " Bill is consistently improving , " coach John Robinson said of Hawkins . " He came into ( 1991 ) camp really light . We hope he gains weight . His improvement has been very gradual " . Hawkins was on injured reserve for 10 games in 1991 and played in only six games as a backup defensive end in the Rams new 4 - 3 pressure defensive scheme ( installed by new defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher ) , recording 4 tackles for the season and one fumble recovery . Back and rib injuries were the reasons Hawkins missed time in 1991 . With the arrival of new Head Coach Chuck Knox and yet a new defensive scheme Hawkins earned the starting right defensive end spot . Despite suffering a torn calf muscle on August 6 , 1992 , Hawkins held the starting job for the first half of the season until he injured his knee on November 8 , 1992 , which ended his season . An MRI revealed he suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and underwent major reconstructive surgery . In 1992 , in 8 games ( 7 starts ) , Hawkins recorded 15 tackles and 2 sacks and batted down 2 passes . He attempted to come back from knee surgery in 1993 but failed to make the team . On April 27 , 1993 , he signed a new contract ( he was a free agent ) but during training camp he was cut . Due to injuries to other Rams defensive linemen he was activated on August 25 , 1993 . Hawkins participated in his first practice since undergoing knee surgery in November , 1992 , and said his knee felt " pretty good . " However , Hawkins ' career , ended on August 31 , 1993 , when Chuck Knox informed him that his services were no longer required . Jupiter High School . In the 2010 - 2011 season he coached the defensive line for the varsity team . He put together one of the best defensive lines in the school ' s history but he left after one season because of poor head coaching and school spirit . References . 8 . Coach Perrsons - http : / / www . tcpalm . com / news / 2011 / oct / 26 / no - headline - - - jc _ spt _ jup _ charlie _ 3 /