How is Michael Hawkins Jr. preparing as OU's starting QB? 'I just go out there and play ball'

NORMAN — Michael Hawkins knows he’s stepping into a big role this weekend, and potentially beyond.

With OU starting quarterback John Mateer undergoing surgery on a broken thumb last week, head coach Brent Venables announced that Hawkins will start against Kent State this Saturday (3 p.m. SECN). Hawkins could also be called upon against Texas or South Carolina, depending on Mateer’s rehab.

It’s an unexpected development for Hawkins, who will be making his fifth collegiate start this weekend. Does he feel like he has anything to prove?

“I just go out there and play ball,” Hawkins said during Monday’s availability.

That’s the mindset that the Sooners will lean on in Mateer’s absence, and it’s the same one that guided Hawkins last season.

Hawkins was thrown into the fire last season, taking over for then-starter Jackson Arnold midway through the Tennessee game in Week 4. As a true freshman, Hawkins appeared in seven games and started four of them, finishing with 783 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 63% of his passes. He flashed his explosiveness as a runner, totaling 204 yards and a score. That touchdown came on 48-yard run against Auburn.

Hawkins has appeared in just one game this season, playing mop-up duty in the win over Temple. But this weekend will be the first real glimpse at how much he’s grown from a season ago. He’s learned a lot from new offensive Ben Arbuckle and analyst Jon Kuceyeski.

“I feel like I took a big step, and I feel like a big part of that is because of the people around me,” Hawkins said. “… Coach Kuz and Coach Arbuckle, just the support staff. It’s just been a great environment I’ve been in.

“They’re very hands on. They’re really tuned into what they’re doing. They know what they’re talking about, so I really love how they operate in the room. They kind of ask questions on the fly, keep you on your toes, so it’s a great room to be in.”

Hawkins has also credited Mateer with helping him develop his game on the field.

“John is a great mentor,” Hawkins said. “He’s obviously older than me. He’s been in the offense for a while. He’s obviously a great guy to go to for questions. He’ll say himself he helps me with stuff I don’t know and can develop my game. If I see things he needs, it’s a great relationship we have. I’m glad to have him as a mentor.

“I lean on him a lot. Just throughout the weeks of him playing, we always talk and get that connection even better throughout the season. He’s a great guy to go to with little questions I have.”

It’s still a tough spot for Hawkins, but his teammates have been adamant about their confidence in him.

“He’s a lot more confident out there,” OU guard Febechi Nwaiwu said. “I think all aspects of Mike’s game have improved, especially with this new offense. I think he’s really gonna excel. Even coming off what he did last year, coming in as a true freshman at that, into crazy environments, winning us games, I’m just super excited to have him.

“Feels good because it feels like we have two quarterbacks we can win with. I’m super excited about that.”

The Sooners don’t know how long Mateer will be out, but they do know that Hawkins will replace him in the short term. It’s a tough challenge to replace Mateer, who had emerged as an early Heisman Trophy candidate while leading the Sooners to a 4-0 start.

Hawkins is confident he can show how much he’s grown and lead the offense in Mateer’s absence.

“It’s going to look similar,” Hawkins said. “Me and Mateer do a lot of things the same. We’re going to go out there and put points on the board. That’s all I can tell you.”

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