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 made his decision after hearing just one sentence from the new head football coach.

A football and basketball standout as a freshman, Hankins was pondering his future path heading into sophomore year.

"I like them both, and I knew I had to go one way or the other for college," Hankins said.

Enter coach Ken Turner, who took over the Maroons football program before the 2023 season.

One look and Turner knew Hankins was meant for the gridiron.

"He told me, 'I'm going to make you a Division I prospect,' " Hankins recalled. "I thought, 'If you think I can do it, then let's do it.' "

It turned out to be the right move for Hankins, the No. 6 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area’s top senior college football prospects.

The 6-foot-1 and 190-pounder gave a verbal commitment in June to play at the University of Illinois after mulling 26 scholarship offers. He narrowed his choices to Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee before staying in-state with the orange and blue.

Turner's prophecy turned to reality quickly as Hankins had a stellar sophomore campaign. He anchored a much-improved secondary and also contributed on offense with 240 yards rushing.

His rapid progression also lit a fire under a team that was coming off back-to-back 0-9 seasons.

"When I was a sophomore, 14 years old, I didn't think of myself as a D-I athlete," Hankins said. "Then we started winning a few games, I was getting better and everything changed. Football was always fun for me, but it's even more fun if you win every once in a while."

Turner guided St. Mary's to successive Class 3 and 4 state championships in Missouri before accepting the challenge of reviving West's program. His influence was felt right away, and the Maroons have posted successive 3-6 records after an 18-game losing streak.

The duo of Turner and Hankins, along with a newfound pride in the program, helped turn things around on Frank Scott Parkway.

"Guys started coming out and wanting to play, wanting to be part of this," Hankins said.

Hankins' skills have come to the forefront under Turner, who rarely takes him off the field. Hankins plays cornerback, wide receiver, running back and even some special teams.

"Football's always been important to me," Hankins said. "Now I love it even more."

Hankins' offensive numbers are more than adequate, although his speed and coverage skills make him a natural fit at cornerback, where he is likely to play at Illinois.

"He's just a great athlete," Turner said. "And a special kid."

Hankins picked off a team-best four passes last season and recorded 21 tackles, three for losses. His presence forced opponents to try to run around the sideline-to-sideline speedster.

The Maroons improved last season, allowing just 29 points per game instead of 42 and 41 during the winless seasons.

Hankins said the players felt the growth on and off the field.

Belleville West beat Southwestern Conference rival Alton 44-6 last season after squeaking by the Redbirds 8-7 in 2023.

"That's when we knew we could see the difference in how we were playing," Hankins said.

Hankins, who sports a 3.8 grade-point-average, grew up playing football, basketball and baseball.

The Swansea resident forged ahead with football and basketball.

An accomplished cook, Hankins is also a beast in the weight room.

"When I first came here I wanted to start my own path," Hankins said. "I wanted to do things that people will remember."

Hankins has done just — and more.

"He's the type of kid that's turned this program around," Turner said. "He was just what we needed to get pointing in the right direction."