SOONERS
Colton Sulley
The Oklahoman
NORMAN — Michael Hawkins Jr. didn't flinch Friday when asked about his future plans.
The true freshman quarterback, who started three games in 2024 following Jackson Arnold's brief benching, is committed to developing and playing the position at OU in 2025. Hawkins will start for the Sooners against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27 and he sees it as another opportunity to show he can lead the team.
"I'm going to be at Oklahoma," Hawkins said after practice on Friday. "This is where I want to be, I want to play at Oklahoma and be the quarterback at Oklahoma. I feel like this bowl game can help me so I feel like that's a big step."
This past season was one of growth for Hawkins.
After replacing Arnold vs. Tennessee and being declared QB1 by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit that night on the broadcast, Hawkins completed a combined 64.4% of his passes for 309 yards against Auburn and Texas.
Hawkins' time as OU's starter ended when he turned the ball over on each of the Sooners' first three drives against South Carolina on Oct. 19.
More:Inside Ben Arbuckle's rapid rise from West Texas QB to OU football offensive coordinator
But he approached the rest of the season with a positive attitude and a goal to continue developing.
"It was great," Hawkins said. "A lot of learning opportunities. For me, I feel like I've grown so much from that game and just the whole season, regardless of what happened and the good times. I feel like I've learned a lot and developed myself more."
While his focus is solely on Navy, Hawkins has been impressed with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
"He's a great guy, real personal," Hawkins said. "Someone you can relate to since he's so young and he's really shown his personality since he's gotten here. So he's been a great guy to be around so far."
With Hawkins and three-star incoming freshman Jett Niu being the only two scholarship quarterbacks currently on the Sooners' 2025 roster, OU will have to go quarterback hunting in the portal.
Most assume the Sooners will jump on Washington State quarterback John Mateer if and when he enters the transfer portal. Hawkins is aware more players will be brought in but he believes in himself, his development plan and wants to stick it out in Norman.
"I love it," Hawkins said of a potential position battle. "I love competition. I feel like that's how it should be. I don't think that it should be no other way. So, I'm all about competition. I think we need another guy here. I'm ready."
Michael Hawkins Jr. commits to returning to OU football: 'I want to play at Oklahoma'
Colton SulleyThe Oklahoman
NORMAN — Michael Hawkins Jr. didn't flinch Friday when asked about his future plans.
The true freshman quarterback, who started three games in 2024 following Jackson Arnold's brief benching, is committed to developing and playing the position at OU in 2025. Hawkins will start for the Sooners against Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27 and he sees it as another opportunity to show he can lead the team.
"I'm going to be at Oklahoma," Hawkins said after practice on Friday. "This is where I want to be, I want to play at Oklahoma and be the quarterback at Oklahoma. I feel like this bowl game can help me so I feel like that's a big step."
This past season was one of growth for Hawkins.
After replacing Arnold vs. Tennessee and being declared QB1 by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit that night on the broadcast, Hawkins completed a combined 64.4% of his passes for 309 yards against Auburn and Texas.
Hawkins' time as OU's starter ended when he turned the ball over on each of the Sooners' first three drives against South Carolina on Oct. 19.
More:Inside Ben Arbuckle's rapid rise from West Texas QB to OU football offensive coordinator
But he approached the rest of the season with a positive attitude and a goal to continue developing.
"It was great," Hawkins said. "A lot of learning opportunities. For me, I feel like I've grown so much from that game and just the whole season, regardless of what happened and the good times. I feel like I've learned a lot and developed myself more."
While his focus is solely on Navy, Hawkins has been impressed with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
"He's a great guy, real personal," Hawkins said. "Someone you can relate to since he's so young and he's really shown his personality since he's gotten here. So he's been a great guy to be around so far."
With Hawkins and three-star incoming freshman Jett Niu being the only two scholarship quarterbacks currently on the Sooners' 2025 roster, OU will have to go quarterback hunting in the portal.
Most assume the Sooners will jump on Washington State quarterback John Mateer if and when he enters the transfer portal. Hawkins is aware more players will be brought in but he believes in himself, his development plan and wants to stick it out in Norman.
"I love it," Hawkins said of a potential position battle. "I love competition. I feel like that's how it should be. I don't think that it should be no other way. So, I'm all about competition. I think we need another guy here. I'm ready."
