West Virginia has officially named Michael Hawkins Jr. their starting quarterback, and honestly, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Mountaineers’ offense. This isn’t just another QB announcement, it’s a huge moment for a team desperate to find some real consistency through the air. Hawkins Jr., an Oklahoma transfer, is stepping into the spotlight as a redshirt sophomore, and his debut against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on September 5th is going to be absolutely appointment viewing.
Hawkins Jr.’s Journey to the Starting Spot
So, who is this guy taking the reins? Hawkins Jr. doesn’t have a ton of mileage, racking up just nine games and five starts during his time backing up Jackson Arnold and John Mateer over at Oklahoma. But what he *does* have is some crucial game experience. Back in 2024, when Jackson Arnold was struggling, Hawkins Jr. got his shot, starting four games. He completed 76 of 120 passes for 783 yards, tossed three touchdowns, and had two interceptions. Plus, he showed he can really use his legs, adding 204 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. That dual-threat potential is no joke, and it’s exactly what the Mountaineers need to keep defenses guessing. In 2025, he started one more game against the Kent State Golden Flashes with Mateer on the sidelines, absolutely lighting it up for 162 yards, three touchdowns, and zero picks on 14 of 24 passing in a dominant 44-0 win. The dude knows how to put points on the board when given the chance, and that’s huge.
The Pressure Is ON for the Passing Game
Let’s be real, the Mountaineers are absolutely looking for more out of their passing offense. Last season was a grind, with the team managing a measly 2,267 yards, just 10 touchdowns, and a brutal 11 interceptions through the air. Yikes. They were cycling through multiple starters after Nicco Marchiol went down with a season-ending injury against the Kansas Jayhawks. It was messy, to say the least, and nobody wants a repeat of that. So, when Hawkins Jr. takes the field, he’s not just playing for himself, he’s playing to totally revitalize this aerial attack and get them back on track. The Mountaineers also brought in Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook, who was the 2025 Conference USA Player of the Year, from the transfer portal. That’s a huge pickup for the ground game, which should help take some pressure off Hawkins Jr., but make no mistake, the passing game needs to step up big time.
This is a fresh start, a new chapter for West Virginia football, and it all kicks off when Hawkins Jr. makes his debut against Coastal Carolina. Can he be the spark they desperately need to turn their passing offense around? You know I’ll be watching closely to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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