CORVALLIS - The image of Xavier Hawkins sprinting across the length of Prothro Practice Field for a deep touchdown catch was, until Tuesday, an unfamiliar sight at Oregon State fall camp.
But after a day in which Hawkins mixed in with the first team offense at slot receiver, he acknowledged an extra pep in his step since a new opportunity came his way.
"Everybody's a little tired," Hawkins said. "If you can just lock in as hard as you can, you just make big plays."
Seth Collins, the primary first team slot receiver, watched practice from the opposite end of the field with his right hand heavily bandaged.