The Oklahoma Sooners found their way to the SEC for 2024 and beyond, and perhaps have also found their QB of the future with Michael Hawkins Jr. The first ever true freshman to start the Red River Rivalry for the Sooners, Hawkins profile details why the talented signal-caller may be the next great OU QB.
When Does Michael Hawkins Jr. and the Oklahoma Sooners Play in Week 7?
The Sooners will take part in their first-ever Red River Rivarly game as a member of the SEC, taking on the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, October 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET from Dallas, Texas, Hawkins hometown.
Hawkins will make his first start against the Longhorns and becomes the first-ever true freshman to start a game against Texas in Oklahoma history in the process.
Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr. Stats, Height, Weight, Profile Details
Hawkins stands 6’1″ and 204 pounds, hailing from Dallas, Texas.
Taking over for Jackson Arnold full-time in Week 5, we only have three games worth of data for Hawkins as the QB for the Sooners. He played in mop-up duty in Oklahoma’s Week 1 dismantling of Temple while playing the majority of the snaps against Tennessee in Week 4.
In reality, even though he’s appeared in three games, the data on him is essentially just one full game’s worth of data.
Completions: 23
Attempts: 37
Completion %: 62.2%
Yards: 310
TD: 1
INT: 0
Rush Attempts: 28
Rush Yards: 101
Rush TD: 1
Michael Hawkins Jr. 247, High School Recruiting Profile
Michael Hawkins Jr. wasn’t the most-heralded QB recruit coming out of high school. As a consensus three-star prospect, it’s hard to believe that he’s making his second start against the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry.
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According to Hawkins’ 247 profile, he ranked as the 35th-best QB and the 82nd-best player from the state of Texas as a senior. He played at Friscon Emerson High School, hailing from McKinney, and had plenty of offers at the major collegiate level, but only 247 specifically had him as a four-star prospect.
Hawkins chose Oklahoma over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, and a handful of other SEC programs.
Who Does Hawkins’ Play Compare To?
Despite his ‘lower recruiting platform,’ Hawkins profiles like some the game’s all-time greats. While some will draw the ideal line between him and perhaps Johnny Manziel, Hawkins’ style of play more closely resembles that of former Oregon QB Dennis Dixon.
Dixon used his legs to set up throwing angles for his arm, while providing a spark with his abilities on the ground as needed. He was a fast-paced quarterback who thrived in moments where his decision-making had to be made on the fly.
Hawkins profiles more closely to Dixon than any others, though there is also a comparable relation to former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III.
When Did Hawkins Take Over for Jackson Arnold?
It needs to be noted, Hawkins didn’t originally intend to start the Red River Rivalry game as a true freshman. The Sooners didn’t play it either.
In fact, Jackson Arnold was named the starter following the 2023 season and he entered the season as the incumbent following a start in the Sooners’ bowl game last year.
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However, following a lackluster start to the season, Hawkins took over for Arnold in Week 4 against Auburn. He was named the starter in Week 5, winning the Sooners’ contest against Tennessee in his first start for the program.
Michael Hawkins Jr. Texas Highlights
Michael Hawkins > John Elway pic.twitter.com/C5MOc5yPry
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 28, 2024
MICHAEL HAWKINS WELCOME TO THE SEC pic.twitter.com/pL9Il2jSFt
— Barstool SEC (@SECBarstool) September 28, 2024
NFL throw from #Sooners True FR QB Michael Hawkins here from the opp hash. See the arm strength with the zip he has on it.
Nice work here from the OL giving him a clean pocket! pic.twitter.com/WrPUj7tu5B
— Alex King (@AKing_Evals) September 24, 2024
Michael Hawkins Jr. NIL Net Worth
As a true freshman and a consensus three-star recruit, Hawkins was going to be battling uphill in terms of total NIL valuation. However, after taking over as the starting quarterback, Hawkins NIL deals have started to come together.
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After taking over as the starter, Hawkins has since signed a deal with Leaf trading cards, who happen to be located just 15 minutes away from where Hawkins grew up. In the lead-up to the Red River Rivalry, Dr. Pepper also featured Hawkins in an advertisement next to Texas QB Quinn Ewers.
What Are Michael Hawkins Jr. Draft Prospects?
As just a true freshman, Hawkins’ draft prospects are quite a longshot at this point. However, he’ll have plenty of time to prove his worth for the next level with two-plus years of starting experience for a marquee program in the SEC.
If all goes to plan, with his lofty play style expectations, Hawkins could ultimately project as a high-round NFL Draft pick. At the time however, he’s a bit limited as a passer and currently projects as a Day 2 pick at the top of his projection.
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