The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Oberlin’s Hopkins finds new college spot Hopkins
Tight end-to-be headed to Glenville State after his first choice, Urbana, closes
Aaron Hopkins’ college recruitment process was a unique one.
His original choice, Urbana University, unexpectedly closed in April and he was quickly forced to reopen his recruitment.
Weeks later, his second recruitment came to a close as Hopkins chose D-II Glenville State in West Virginia.
“It was pretty tough, but at the same time it helped me, because it brought more schools out to recruit me,” he said. “And the coaches at Urbana made sure they put my name out there so I could get into another school since they closed. So I was pretty devastated, but then it worked out great.”
Hopkins played on both sides of the ball for D-VI Oberlin, as a running back, receiver and defensive lineman. At Glenville State, he’ll move on to a new challenge, tight end.
It’s a position Oberlin didn’t have in its offense during Hopkins’ time on the team. But one that Phoenix head coach Mike Akers says he is more than capable of playing at the next level.
“He’ll be a tough matchup at tight end for any linebacker that tries to cover him,” Akers said. “He’s got good ball skills, good hand-eye coordination and good speed for a kid his size. He can throw he can run and he can catch.
“He can really do everything well, and at 6-2, 225 for a kid that age that has never really lifted weights, (Glenville State) can probably put 20-30 pounds on him with a solid weight lifting program now that he’ll be specializing in one sport.”
The newly minted tight end says that other schools were recruiting him to play outside linebacker or defensive end. But in the end, it was his comfort with the coaching staff at Glenville State that sealed the deal.
“It was really the coach,” Hopkins said. “I’ve had a lot of coaches talk to me, but this coach reminded me of the coach at Urbana, who me and my family loved. So he talked a great game and I looked at the campus and it was a great campus. And for the position I’m going to play, that’s a great school to go to.”
A three-sport in high school, Hopkins credits his time on the basketball team the most for shaping him into the man he is today.
“I would have to say that basketball shaped me into the man I am today the most, because Coach (Jordan) Beard and his staff put that determination into me,” he said. “They showed me what dedication was and hard work was. I fought so many battles with the basketball
team in practices and in games. They really taught me how to be tough all around.”
Hopkins averaged 10.5 points and eight rebounds a game for the Phoenix in 2019, helping them secure a share of the LC8 championship, defeating Clearview in their final game of the regular season.
The Oberlin graduate will return to Northeast Ohio on Oct. 24 as the Pioneers face off against Notre Dame College in South Euclid. It’s a matchup that Hopkins will be looking forward to as he will get to play in front of family and friends, and also against friends from Lorain.
“It’s pretty exciting, those guys that are going to Notre Dame (Lorain’s Daylin Dower, Tyshawn Lighty and Jordan Jackson) I’ve known them all of my life.” Hopkins said. “I’m excited to play guys that I’ve known, and coming back to northeast Ohio is just great because all of my family can come and watch.
“I want to have my basketball teammates out and whoever I can bring out, to try to be a positive influence on the community and show that anything is possible.”