Hawthorne signs with Falcons

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

The final member of the self-styled Football Fab Five will get a shot to play in the National Football League.

Wideout C.J. Hawthorne said he has reached an agreement on a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

He will report to the Falcons' minicamp May 8.

Hawthorne has been told he will compete as wide receiver and "gunner" on punt and kickoff coverages.

"I've got an opportunity," Hawthorne said. "I'll make the best of it. If it's God's will, it'll be OK."

UH head coach Greg McMac-kin said: "I'm so happy for him. He's really worked hard."

Former UH quarterback Colt Brennan was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round. Receivers Davone Bess (Miami Dolphins), Ryan Grice-Mullins (Houston Texans) and Jason Rivers (Tennessee Titans) signed free-agent contracts.

Brennan and the four receivers were named as the Western Athletic Conference's Unit of the Year.

Hawthorne was seventh in the WAC in receptions (61) and eighth in receiving yards (859).

While his teammates reached agreements Sunday, Hawthorne was not discouraged to have to wait until yesterday.

"When you have high expectations and things don't work out, you have re-brace yourself," Hawthorne said. "I did that."

He said Atlanta is a six-hour drive from his home in Biloxi, Miss.

"It's an easy drive," he said.