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Hawkins playing through the pain

LOS ANGELES -- Few players would grind the way USC commit Chris Hawkins has in recent months. Camp after camp, workout after workout, the four-star cornerback out of Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) has been all over the map and more than held his own.

Add a broken thumb to the mix and, well, you get a glimpse of not only Hawkins' toughness, but his thirst for improvement.

Hawkins underwent surgery to repair his right thumb July 16 and has since trained with a soft cast for protection. He has a doctor's appointment scheduled for Wednesday of next week, when he hopes to get a timetable on his recovery.