Crimson Countdown: No. 3 Michael Hawkins Jr.
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.
Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 3 Michael Hawkins Jr.
2024 stats: Threw for 783 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, also ran for 204 yards and one touchdown.
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2025 outlook: Hawkins is the backup again this year heading into the season. But there is a strong belief that Hawkins is the quarterback of the future for the Sooners. He has taken big strides in the offseason, after being thrown into the fire as a true freshman.
Hawkins has a dual-threat ability that could see him get on the field this year in certain situations. While John Mateer is the clear-cut starter, OU would feel comfortable playing Hawkins if need be. Talk to coaches and players, and it’s clear Hawkins has shown a lot of development this offseason.
2025 quarterback outlook
It’s about Mateer, obviously, and then Arbuckle starting to teach that offense. The word from preseason camp has been about the vast improvement from Michael Hawkins Jr., which is great on two fronts. One, if anything should happen to Mateer, Hawkins has to be ready. And if everything goes the way it’s planned in 2025, then Hawkins can step in as a third-year quarterback and ready to take the reins in 2026. Not be overwhelmed but fully ready to be that type of guy, that type of leader.
