Xavier Hopkins To Walk-On At Alabama State

HARVEST- A 2019 graduate of Sparkman High has finally made his choice of where he plans on attending college and playing football this fall. Xavier Hopkins said he has chosen to be a walk-on at Alabama State after surprisingly not receiving scholarships offers.

“I have believe in myself and I know I can do it,” said Hopkins of his attempt to earn a spot on the team, although the team’s coaches have indicated he may be redshirted this fall.

Hopkins, a scrapping 5-foot-11, 226-pound linebacker, posted 93 tackles in his senior season with the Senators and was invited to play in the annual Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Houston in January. He also participated in the AHSAA All-Star Week Football Game in Montgomery two weeks ago and feverishly tried to secure a scholarship for this fall.

He had recent conversations with Tuskegee and Alabama State along with a few NAIA schools before making his decision to try and join the Hornets’ program for the upcoming 2019 season. The Hornets are a Div. I program out of Montgomery and play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

“I love to compete and I’m up for the challenge of having to walk-on and earn a spot on the team,” said Hopkins, son of James and Nichole Lee Massey, who are both retired military, which means Hopkins can attend Alabama State at no charge. “With my decision being made I feel like a lot of weight is off my shoulders. I’m healthy and ready to go. I’m excited.”

Laron White, head coach at Sparkman, said of his departed linebacker, “He’s the ultimate team guy and believes he’s the best player on the field and he puts in the work to back up that feeling. He will certainly be successful in whatever he does.”

Hopkins began playing youth football for the Sparkman Cougars at age five. He also played basketball through his freshman year, but soon chose to stick with football fulltime.

Hopkins is geared to make things happen and he looks at Alabama State as a challenge that he will win. He intends to help turn around the program that finished the 2018 season with a 4-7 record. The squad scored a dismal 167 points in the 11 games while allowing 407 points to the opposition. Hopkins knows he has the talent to assist in making the defensive program better and he feels he can do it quickly if given the opportunity.

“Besides that I know I can make it through college and play in the NFL,” added Hopkins. “I look to be the first player from Sparkman to make the NFL. I actually can see myself doing that. Even my friend Reggie Ragland of the Kansas City Chiefs told me I can do it. I believe that I can, but let’s take my first step at Alabama State before anything else.”