How did Michael Hawkins Jr. rise to become the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners?
The Oklahoma Sooners made a quarterback change just four weeks into the 2024 season. Sophomore Jackson Arnold, who had been seen as the successor to Dillon Gabriel, struggled in his first three games, culminating in a shaky performance during OU’s loss to Tennessee. While the offseason narrative focused on Arnold’s development, just a month into the season, the storyline shifted. Some of the responsibility lies with Arnold, but much of it is beyond his control.
However, after Arnold committed three first-half turnovers in week four, head coach Brent Venables made the decision to bench him and bring in freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Hawkins, despite the pressure, settled in and moved the ball late in the game against Tennessee, earning his first career start against Auburn the following week.
Though Hawkins’ stats in the Auburn game weren’t extraordinary, he impressed by handling pressure well and making clutch plays, helping to lead OU to a comeback road win. He’s done enough to secure the starting job for next week’s game against Texas, and if he continues to perform well, protect the ball, and develop, he could remain the starter for the rest of the season.
So, who is Michael Hawkins Jr.?
Initially expected to be Arnold’s backup for the next two seasons, Hawkins’ opportunity has come sooner than anticipated. If he can help turn OU’s offense around in the competitive environment of the SEC, he could end up starting many games for the Sooners in the future.
Hawkins’ father, Michael Sr., played cornerback for Oklahoma in 2002 before moving to the Arena Football League and then being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He later played for several NFL teams, including the Browns, Vikings, Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Raiders from 2006 to 2009.
Michael Jr. made a name for himself at Allen High School, where former Sooner Kyler Murray also played. For his senior year, he transferred to Frisco Emerson High School, leading the team on a deep playoff run in 2023. During that season, Hawkins racked up 3,039 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns, along with 1,192 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, according to MaxPreps.
A four-star recruit, Hawkins was ranked highly by 247Sports Composite and had offers from top programs like Alabama, Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, TCU, and Missouri. He committed to Oklahoma on April 8, 2023, choosing the Sooners over his hometown TCU Horned Frogs, and signed with OU in December. Enrolling early as part of the 2024 recruiting class, Hawkins quickly climbed the depth chart, winning the backup role to Arnold.
While Hawkins originally committed to play under former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, he stayed with the Sooners even after Lebby left for Mississippi State. Under the guidance of co-offensive coordinators Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley, Hawkins has shown promise as a dual-threat quarterback, catching the attention of coaches and fans during spring and fall practices.
