Former Baylor Kicker Connor Hawkins Commits to Ohio State

Former Baylor standout Connor Hawkins committed to Ohio State on Wednesday, becoming the only kicker on the Buckeyes’ roster and the presumptive option for kickoffs, field goals and point-after attempts in 2026.

Lets roll! @OhioStateFB https://t.co/piHOXAZEYG

— Connor Hawkins (@connor_hawk1ns) January 15, 2026

As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Hawkins made 18 of 22 field goals, an 81.8% success rate. He was perfect from inside 40 yards (10 of 10), went 5 of 8 from 40 to 49 yards and made 3 of 4 attempts from 50 yards or longer. His longest conversion came from 54 yards.

With Jayden Fielding graduating and Jackson Courville transferring to Tulane, Hawkins is currently Ohio State’s lone kicker. That said, the Buckeyes are expected to add competition for the Liberty Hill, Texas, native this offseason, either through the transfer portal or the high school ranks.

Before Hawkins entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, Ohio State had not been publicly linked to any other transfer kickers. However, the Buckeyes have offered one of the top remaining kickers in the 2026 class: Jacobo Eccheveria, who made 12 of 13 field goals with a long of 41 yards as a senior at Upper St. Clair (Pittsburgh) in 2025.

Hawkins is the 12th transfer Ohio State has landed this offseason. The Buckeyes' class began with former Ohio tight end Mason Williams and has continued with former Alabama defensive tackle James Smith and former Florida State defensive back Earl Little Jr., among others.