Incarnate Word Offers Gladewater Safety Austin Hawley

A strong week for Gladewater safety Austin Hawley continued Friday with a college football scholarship invitation from Incarnate Word.

The junior and the ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine's Defensive Backs Most Valuable Player during Sunday's event announced the Cardinals' offer through his personal Twitter account. Incarnate Word followed Louisiana-Monroe to round out his current college portfolio.

Hawley (6-1, 207) racked up 69 tackles, forced four fumbles, had an interception and broke up seven passes during his junior season while helping Gladewater reach the playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Gladewater closed its campaign with a Class 4A Division II bi-district playoff loss to Canton and a 5-6 overall record.

Hawley was part of a team a year beforehand that faced Gilmer in an epic regional semifinal playoff game and fell in the final seconds. Gilmer went on to win the state championship three weeks later.

At the combine event, Hawley's highlights included a 32-inch vertical jump and a 4.59-second laser-timed 40-yard dash.

Incarnate Word has been very active within the region recently.

John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith, John Tyler cornerback Javontavius Mosley, Arp running back Kayce Medlock, Gilmer receiver LaMarcus Morton, Henderson running back La’Kendrick Van Zandt and Texas High quarterback Cade Pearson are other players that have heard from the school within the past 10 days.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Smith and Mosley have accepted different schools' offers.

Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio, introduced its football program in 2009 and competed at the Division II level through 2012. In 2013, the Cardinals made the jump to Division I FCS and competed as an independent.

UIW started its membership in the Southland Conference in 2014.

The Cardinals are coached by Larry Keenan and turned in a 6-5 finish last year, their second winning season in existence and their first in the Southland.

Hawley, like all high school football prospects currently in their junior year, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.