DALLAS – What a whirlwind week it has been for former Ranger and NJCAA First Team All-American left tackle Donald Hawkins. It's one that could change his life forever. 

Hawkins, who played the 2010-11 seasons at Northwest and the 2012-13 seasons for the Texas Longhorns, was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, picked up and waived by the Cleveland Browns and then received the news he was headed to play for the Dallas Cowboys – all in a week.

"All I ever wanted was an opportunity," Hawkins said. "Yes, it's been a whirlwind week. Going from Philadelphia to Cleveland, my head definitely was spinning, and I was just hoping I could land somewhere and start my career. I'm praying Dallas is a place I could start my career."

Hawkins signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent and played in three preseason games with the Eagles before being cut last week and being picked up by the Cleveland Browns for the final preseason game.

On Sunday, Hawkins received the news that he had been claimed by the Dallas Cowboys and on the 53-man roster. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound tackle from Tunica (Rosa Fort) will wear No. 62 for Jerry Jones' Boys.

"I have been playing with a chip on my shoulder since high school," Hawkins said. "Not being able to play Division I out of high school and having to go to junior college and making that transition at Texas and then making the transition to the NFL after being undrafted was definitely a chip. And after being cut twice, it just makes the chip even bigger, play harder and thank God for being in the position I'm in right now."