Brent Venables Laments on QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Starting at Auburn
Norman, OK – September 29, 2024
Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables expressed a sense of both pride and regret after learning that former Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has been named the starting quarterback at Auburn University. Hawkins, a former four-star recruit and promising signal-caller for the Sooners, transferred to Auburn in the offseason, and the news of his ascent to the starting role has drawn attention across the college football landscape.
Venables, speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference, acknowledged Hawkins’ potential and praised his work ethic, but couldn’t help but lament the fact that the talented quarterback would now be leading another program.
“Michael is a special player, no question about it,” Venables said.
“He’s got the arm, the athleticism, the leadership—you name it. We’re proud of him and what he’s accomplished, but it stings a little to see him succeed at another school. You always want to keep players like that in your own program.”
Hawkins was originally recruited to Oklahoma under Venables’ regime, joining the Sooners as part of the 2023 recruiting class. His raw talent and dual-threat ability made him a standout prospect. However, with Oklahoma’s depth at quarterback, led by highly touted freshman Jackson Arnold, Hawkins saw limited playing time and decided to enter the transfer portal in search of greater opportunities.
His move to Auburn has already proven to be fruitful, as Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze named Hawkins the starter after a strong performance during fall camp. The Sooners’ staff, including Venables, remained supportive of Hawkins but could not overlook the sting of seeing him succeed in another uniform.
“He’s a competitor,” Venables continued. “We knew wherever he went, he’d make an impact.
I just wish it could’ve been here, but that’s the nature of college football today. Players have more freedom to make choices that are best for them, and we respect that.”
Venables noted that Hawkins’ departure is part of the evolving landscape of the sport, where the transfer portal has become a central aspect of roster management. He emphasized the need for programs like Oklahoma to adapt and continue developing depth across all positions, especially with increased player movement.
The Sooners’ head coach, however, took time to reflect on the positive, highlighting that Hawkins’ success at Auburn is a testament to the work done in Norman to develop young talent. “We always talk about building champions, and Michael is a prime example of that. He took what he learned here and applied it somewhere else. We wish him nothing but the best.”
While Hawkins flourishes in his new role at Auburn, Oklahoma continues to focus on its current quarterback situation, with Jackson Arnold leading the Sooners into the Big 12 conference race. Venables remains confident in his team’s ability to contend but acknowledged that keeping depth at key positions, like quarterback, is always a challenge.
As Michael Hawkins Jr. prepares for his starting debut with Auburn, the Sooners will be watching from a distance, knowing that a part of their program’s influence is now shining in the SEC.
Key Facts:
– Former Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr. has been named the starting quarterback at Auburn.
– Hawkins transferred to Auburn after limited playing time at Oklahoma.
– Sooners head coach Brent Venables praised Hawkins but expressed regret that he left the program.
– The transfer marks a trend in college football as player movement increases due to the transfer portal.
