Michael Hawkins looks back on his decision to stay at Oklahoma with John Mateer coming in

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins has been here before. Midway through the season, the offense now turns to him, looking to take over the quarterback position and hit the ground running. This time, it’s to replace starter John Mateer while he recovers from an injury.

To an extent, it’s a surprise that Oklahoma still has Hawkins to turn to at all. After all, in the modern era, backups can transfer freely. In particular, there would likely have been some interest in a quarterback with SEC experience, who may be looking for a place to start with a new offensive staff and a transfer quarterback coming to town.

Despite that, Hawkins recently shared that he’s happy with his decision to stay. That’s something that was highlighted by the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle. He’s someone who made it worth staying and being the backup for Hawkins.

“Yes, sir,” Michael Hawkins said. “I’ve been very pleased with my decision to stay. Just being able to, like I said, have those support staff and Coach Arbuckle. He’s a great coach and I knew what I was getting into. So, I’m very pleased with my appearance here.”

Ben Arbuckle was previously the offensive coordinator at Washington State and John Mateer was his quarterback at Washington State. The writing was on the wall that he was coming to start. Still, once Michael Hawkins heard who was coming, he knew that he wanted to be in Norman.

“I knew I was gonna stay. Obviously, I knew I had to think about who was gonna come here,” Hawkins said. “But as soon as I saw Coach Arbuckle was coming here… I liked my decision to stay.”

Mateer did hit the ground running once he got to Oklahoma this season, even making himself a Heisman candidate. Then, he injured his throwing hand and needed surgery on his right thumb. That shouldn’t be an injury that ends his season, but it is going to cost him some time. Thus, Hawkins is getting another opportunity.

Last season, when Hawkins did play, he was able to complete 63.3 percent of his passes for 783 yards and three touchdowns to two interceptions. He also rushed for 204 yards and a touchdown. That came in his true freshman season. Now a sophomore, he does have more eligibility long-term than Mateer, who is currently a redshirt junior. If he plays in four or fewer games, and he’s already appeared in one, Hawkins could use a redshirt this season as well.

Next up for Oklahoma is a home non-conference game against Kent State. After that, the Sooners turn their attention to Red River and Texas. That’s a game where it now looks like Michael Hawkins will be called to start for the Sooners.