Former Oklahoma Sooners QB Michael Hawkins may have just been gifted what he’s been asking for years

Michael Hawkins a seamless fit with West Virginia

Michael Hawkins Jr., and his family, have been searching for a starting opportunity, and were hoping it would be with the Sooners. With the return of John Mateer to the Sooners for next season, however, that won't be happening, thus prompting Hawkins to enter the portal.

He will join head coach Rich Rodriguez in West Virginia, and Hawkins is a perfect fit for Rodriguez's system. Rodriguez has built some dominant rushing attacks built around his quarterback's ability to run the ball. He set records with players like Pat White and Denard Robinson, and Hawkins is a similar style of those players as a better rusher than passer.

Hawkins will also reunite with a former Sooner coach, as Mountaineers' defensive coordinator Zac Alley spent the 2024 season with the Sooners in the same role before suddenly departing for West Virginia at the end of the season.

The Mountaineers are hopeful Hawkins can lock down their starting quarterback job for the next two seasons. In 2025, they had to call upon five different quarterbacks, and none of them proved to be an effective answer. West Virginia finished the season 94th in total offense, 101st in passing offense, and 108th in scoring offense on their way to a dismal 4-8 record in Rich Rodriguez's first season as head coach.

Hawkins will get a chance to prove his ability as a quarterback, this time working against much worse defenses than he has seen in the SEC and in a scheme that will be tailor-made for his skill set. All he's wanted was a shot, and he's got it now in Morgantown.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.