After two straight years of quarterback room renovations, the Oklahoma Sooners lost just one player heading into 2026, while they also added just one player to the group. For the first time since 2023, Norman remains stable at that position group. That stability also translates to coaching, with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and senior lieutenant John Kuceyeski also returning in 2026.
Returning starter John Mateer will be joined by returning backups Whitt Newbauer and Jett Niu. The new guy is true freshman Bowe Bentley, the heir apparent after Martel’s final season. OU’s only exit from the quarterback room is Michael Hawkins Jr., who transferred to West Virginia.
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Hawkins, who now resides in Morgantown, will have a chance to compete for the starting job for the Mountaineers this offseason. His main competition will be Scotty Fox Jr., and the winner of the game will be in charge of head coach Rich Rodriguez’s offense.
Hawkins is one of many rookies at QB in the Big 12, and On3 considers him one of the best. They released a list of the top 10 transfer portal quarterbacks in the league, and Hawkins ranked 10th.
Hawkins spent two years at Oklahoma State, starting a total of five games and posting a 2-3 record as a starter in Norman. Jackson Arnold struggled as a true freshman in 2024 when the Sooners benched him against Tennessee. Hawkins performed well against the Volunteers and earned a starting spot against Auburn. He then led OU to its first SEC victory in a dramatic victory over the Tigers in his first start.
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However, a mixed performance against Texas and a poor start against South Carolina sent Hawkins back to the bench and Arnold returned to the field to have a dismal season. Hawkins did lose to Navy in the bowl game and ended his freshman year on a roller-coaster ride.
In 2025, with the arrival of Martel, Hawkins was once again demoted to QB2. He started against Kent State after Martel had surgery, but didn’t get a chance for revenge against Texas as Martel returned to the Longhorns. Hawkins redshirted, and when Martel decided to return for another year and Bentley waited in the wings, Hawkins hit the door and ended up with the Mountaineers, along with his defensive back brother Malik.
For the first time in his career, Hawkins has a chance to earn a starting job and become a full-time starter at the college level rather than being accidentally thrown into the game. His active arm, incredible speed and dynamic athleticism should make him a perfect fit for Rich Rod at WVU.
Despite not having success at Oklahoma State, Hawkins was always there for them when they needed him. After a disastrous ’24 season that saw a complete quarterback rebuild, he was the only quarterback to stay put and give OU one year. With better opportunities to play and an offense that’s a good fit for his skills, Hawkins should thrive in West Virginia.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Former Oklahoma State QB ranks among Big 12’s best quarterbacks
