By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Clyde Anthony Hawkins IV is quickly emerging as a standout in youth sports and is currently adding to his athletic resume as a member of the Rise Youth 12U Football team. Though just beginning his athletic journey, the young athlete has already built a reputation for his strength, speed, and relentless drive.
Hawkins got his start in kindergarten with flag football, where his natural talent became immediately evident. Since then, he has continued to develop his skills, transitioning seamlessly into tackle football and thriving in competitive environments.
In addition to his football prowess, Hawkins has excelled in track and field, earning national recognition. He ranks among the top 10 in events such as the 200-meter dash and shot put and was named an All-American in shot put in both 2023 and 2025, an impressive feat for any youth athlete.
“My dad got me into flag football, and I didn’t know what tackle was at the time,” says Hawkins. “Then I played in my first game and once I saw all the hard work pay off, it felt good, and that helped me to start playing football.”
“Smacking people is fun, and that keeps me going each year, because my favorite thing about playing football is the roughness aspect of it,” added Hawkins.
Despite his impressive accomplishments at a young age, Hawkins said the achievement he’s most proud of isn’t personal—it’s a big team win that meant the most to him.
“Something that sticks out that I am most proud of is when we won the 10U championship with Rise in the Gypsy League,” said Hawkins.
When asked to describe his son’s playing style, Clyde Hawkins III didn’t hesitate with his response.
“Explosive,” says the elder Hawkins. “We strength train, so all I do is just make him strong and fast. I get a lot of people saying that he is one of those generational players, and it looks like he is going to develop into that.”
“They always ask if he is a reclass because he is so strong and fast,” he added. “He crushes any opponent, and he is stronger and faster than almost any opponent in his age group. He just broke his personal record in the weight room with a 215 lb flat bench.”
Hawkins says that he looks forward to game day, and he especially enjoys the pregame rituals and working together as a team.
“We all get hyped in the huddle and then break out and play,” said Hawkins. “I feel we work well together, and when everybody does their job and the plays get executed perfectly, and it just results in a touchdown. That to me is the most satisfying feeling.”
At the start of the season, Hawkins set an ambitious goal of rushing for 800 yards, a goal that he now believes is easily within reach.
“I want to get 800 rushing yards, and I said that starting this season,” said Hawkins. “Which I am on target to easily break, and next year I want to try and beat whatever I get this year.”
His father, who emphasizes strength development, said his son’s accomplishments extend far beyond football.
“You get the All-American title being ninth on the 200, and he missed that by four hundredths of a second, and came in 10th in the 100-meter at nationals, missing it by seven hundredths of a second,” said Hawkins III.
“I’m more of a strength guy, but we do speed training too, and that even impressed me when he almost acquired the All-American for the running,” added Hawkins III. “But he still has the fastest PR time in the district for the 100-meter, which is 12.16, and then he has the farthest throw in the district, which is 38’ 9”. His accomplishments are constant, and he is the youngest of seven, so I got a lot of time with him, so we are in a constant state of training.”
Mike Westbrook, Rise 12U head coach, said Hawkins is definitely a generational talent and is one of the hardest-working kids that he has been around.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, and there are a lot of young people who have attributes, right? They can run fast, they can jump high, they’re big, they’re strong, but you rarely find that combination of talent with a work ethic, and he definitely has the work ethic,” said Westbrook. “We’ve helped a lot of kids get to college, and Clyde is definitely on his way. He’s a hard-working kid. He’s a great kid. He’s a team-first type of young man, and his family has done a great job raising him.”
When reflecting on his head coach, Hawkins said what he admires most about Coach Westbrook is his ability to read the game and translate that vision into success on the field.
“I admire his play calling,” said Hawkins. “When he is able to call a play and then see it just completely fool the defense is admirable.”
Hawkins believes youth football has given him more than just athletic development, and it’s also taught him valuable life skills.
“Outside of football, I think that youth football has helped me understand discipline and dedication,” said Hawkins. “Finishing something and always being a man of your word.”
Hawkins III, too, believes that his son is extremely disciplined.
“He plays multiple sports, AAU basketball, football, and track and field. We are on a program where he comes straight home from school and goes to the other practices, so he is disciplined. And we also do a lot of offseason stuff with Rise in their programs,” said Hawkins III.
As Hawkins grows through the sport, Coach Westbrook’s focus is on building more than just an athlete. He’s aiming to shape a leader who understands the impact he can have on and off the field.
“Not just the football fundamentals and playing at a high level, but just understanding what this game of football does. That it is the ultimate team sport, and how he can impact and bring others up along with him as he is growing through the game,” said Westbrook. “He is a fun, loving, humble young man. He is definitely a leader, he is one of our captains, and he does a great job of that already [bringing people up along with him].”
