HARVEST- Xavier Hopkins continues to live out his dream…in more ways than one. The 2019 graduate of Sparkman High will be a redshirt junior for the Clark Atlanta University Panthers where the 6-foot, 220-pound linebacker hopes to improve his talents enough to where the powers-to-be of the National Football League will come calling. In the meantime, the 23-year old said, “I love to give back to the Harvest community and I want to impact others.”

On Saturday, July 1, Hopkins will have the opportunity to do just that as he’s hosting his inaugural Xavier Hopkins Football Camp at Monrovia Middle School. The initial registration was so quick in response to the announcement of the camp, the spots available for the three-hour event are currently filled to capacity. More than 80 youngsters from the immediate area will be in attendance as Hopkins, many of his Clark Atlanta teammates and former teammates while his years at Sparkman will converge onto the school’s football field and teach the basic skills needed to perfect play at any level of football.

“I came up with the idea with my brother and I felt I wanted to start this now, kick off the camp and keep it going as I’m fulfilling my dream, part of which will play in the NFL,” said Hopkins. “I’ve always looked forward to having a camp of my own.”

His positive attitude of resilience and never quit way of living his life has easily transformed onto the football field as Hopkins posted 90 tackles and was second on the team in that defensive category in 2022. He’s committed to playing even better in 2023 as NFL scouts have been around the program.

“I have the grit to get better and live out my dream of playing in the NFL,” said Hopkins, who was a walk-on at Alabama State coming out of Sparkman High. He soon entered the transfer portal and hooked up with the Panthers when he committed to the program on May 16, 2020. “I’m beating the odds that have been stacked against me and I truly feel I can have a long career and I want this camp to be along the entire time.”

Hopkins already has his own sports brand- “X41H.” The logo stands for Xavier-41-Hopkins as No. 41 is the number he wears with the Panthers. His brand he feels also stands for his giving back to the community he grew up in. He said he remembers some of the camps he attended as a small boy playing youth football and understands how youngsters today feel about their chances at learning the sport he has loved since he was old enough to walk.

“My mom and dad helped me with this camp and I’m excited as each participant will receive a camp T-shirt and feast on pizza at the completion of the camp, all for free,” said Hopkins, who hopes the annual gatherings will last a long time as his dream continues.