After veteran signal-caller Dillon Gabriel’s transfer and his successor Jackson Arnold’s ascension, the Oklahoma football program underwent a facelift in its quarterback room this offseason. With the departure of backup General Booty, the Oklahoma Sooners brought in longtime college passer Casey Thompson via the transfer portal while inking incoming freshmen Michael Hawkins Jr. and Brendan Zurbrugg.
Oklahoma announced their backup to starter Jackson Arnold heading into their Week 1 clash against the Temple Owls on Monday. According to Sooners insider Bob Przybylo, head coach Brent Venables and the company will turn to true freshman Michael Hawkins as the primary backup quarterback.
Oklahoma Football: Announce Michael Hawkins Jr. as Backup Quarterback
On Monday, reports surfaced that Oklahoma football had landed on top prospect and freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. as the team’s backup quarterback. Hawkins, a four-star recruit per 247Sports’ composite ranking, signed with Oklahoma over the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Penn State Nittany Lions, among others.
"Mike has shown us a lot of things. A tremendous playmaker. Really focused and locked in." – Brent Venables on frosh Michael Hawkins Jr. winning the #Sooners' backup quarterback job. BV also said that OU doesn't have to have a "refined package" for Hawkins.
— Mason Young (@Mason_Young_0) August 26, 2024
An Elite 11 finalist, Hawkins Jr. tallied 3,039 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and three picks in 15 games. He also rushed for 1,172 and five touchdowns. Before his senior year at Frisco Emerson High School, Hawkins dominated at Allen High School, earning first-team Texas District 5-6A honors. Head coach Brent Venables praised Hawkins Jr. after naming him the backup quarterback to Jackson Arnold on Monday.
HC Brent Venables: Praises Michael Hawkins Jr.
Oklahoma football head coach Brent Venables talked to the media on Monday following the reveal of the team’s most updated depth chart. Venables did not mince words when talking about his new backup quarterback, Michael Hawkins Jr., saying, “Mike has shown us a lot of things.”
Venables continued, “But (he’s a) tremendous playmaker, really focused and locked in, fundamentally sound. He’s got a big arm. He’s a quick decision-maker. He can improvise and keep his eyes down the field. He can beat you with his legs…. Really felt like the combination of all of it, getting him ready. We don’t have to have a refined package, so to speak, for Mike. I think that went into it.”
Venables points towards Hawkins’ ability to command the entirety of the offense as a factor in deciding the freshman was best fit for backup duties. Hawkins will now be ahead of veteran Casey Thompson and fellow freshman Brendan Zurbrugg in the pecking order.
Oklahoma Football: QB Depth Chart
On Monday, Oklahoma football revealed its quarterback depth chart, with former mega prospect Jackson Arnold as the starter and true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. as the backup. Meanwhile, seventh-year senior Casey Thompson will operate as the third-string passer. Thompson, formerly of the Texas Longhorns, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Florida Atlantic Owls, transferred to Oklahoma this offseason. Thompson has totaled 52 passing touchdowns against 24 picks across 33 games.
Meanwhile, Brendan Zurbrugg is a three-star quarterback in the 2024 class. Zurbrugg is a six-foot-three, 180-pound passer. He totaled 34 touchdowns as a high school senior in 2023.
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