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Camden celebrates historic signing day

It's 587 miles from Camden to Ann Arbor, Mich. It just doesn't seem that far to Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson.

Brad Hawkins tries on his new Michigan gear after he and four other football players from Camden High School sign letters of intent in the school's library on February 3, 2016. Hawkins signed to go to Michigan.
Brad Hawkins tries on his new Michigan gear after he and four other football players from Camden High School sign letters of intent in the school's library on February 3, 2016. Hawkins signed to go to Michigan.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer

It's 587 miles from Camden to Ann Arbor, Mich.

It just doesn't seem that far to Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson.

"Like home away from home," Hawkins said.

Said Johnson, "First time I went there, I knew it was where I wanted to be. It felt like home to me."

Hawkins and Johnson, Camden High School seniors and first-team all-South Jersey players, on Wednesday signed national letters of intent to attend the University of Michigan.

The signings by Hawkins and Johnson were the highlights of a festival affair in the school's second-floor library, where more than 100 students, family, friends, teachers, administrators and dignitaries - including Camden Police Chief Scott Thomson - gathered to celebrate one of the most significant days in the history of the football program.

Hawkins and Johnson were joined by Dymelle Parker (Towson), Josh Clark (Wagner) and Demian Thomas (Maine) as Camden players who signed with Division I programs.

"I'll bet it's been a long time since a South Jersey school had five guys," Camden coach Dwayne Savage said.

Another Camden player, Jamal Holloway, is expected to sign in the next few weeks. Holloway had committed to Syracuse, but that agreement collapsed after a coaching change with the Orange.

"It says a lot of about Camden," Johnson said. "It shows what kind of good people can come out of Camden."

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Johnson, a defensive end, said he first visited Michigan on March 28.

"That was Day One, and I'll never forget it," Johnson said. "It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life. And every time I went back, it just proved it to me even more."

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hawkins, a wide receiver, said he knew Michigan was right for him after his first visit last spring as well.

"I fell in love with it," Hawkins said. "It's where I wanted to be."

Both athletes said there was something special about attending Michigan with a close friend.

"That means a lot," Johnson said of accompanying Hawkins to Michigan. "Me and Brad, we've got so much in common. We're from the same city. We're from the same school. We're been through the same things."

Said Hawkins of Johnson: "That's my brother."

Under coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has appeared to regain much of its stature in college football. The Wolverines also have established a pipeline to New Jersey, with 2016 signees Hawkins, Johnson, Ahmir Mitchell of Cedar Creek, Kareem Walker of DePaul and Rashan Gary of Paramus Catholic, the defensive tackle regarded as the No. 1 recruit in the nation who announced his decision on Wednesday afternoon.

"We all feel the same way," Hawkins said. "We're on a group chat, and we're always like, 'Michigan is lit. Michigan is the bomb.' "

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