Michael Hawkins Jr. and 3 other players thriving since escaping Ben Arbuckle’s Oklahoma offense

With how bad Oklahoma's offense has been the past two seasons, some have started to question the talent. That might be fair at some positions, but there are a few players we judged the same way in 2025 who are proving now that it was Ben Arbuckle's system, not the player, as they've thrived since escaping their old OC.

4 former Sooners finding more success after transferring

Javonnie Gibson made a massive leap from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he was an FCS All-American, to Oklahoma last year. It's hard to say Gibson wasn't ready for the level of competition and that's why he flopped, because after an injury delayed the start of his season, he ended up starting the final six games of the Sooners' season.

In nine games as a Sooner, Gibson caught 18 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Already in just three games with Cincinnati, he has surpassed his yardage and touchdown totals, with 201 yards and three TDs. He has reached the end zone in every game so far.

His best game as a Sooner was against LSU, when he had three receptions and 66 yards. He's bested those numbers in his last two outings.

Michael Hawkins Jr. wouldn't be the answer to the Sooners' current QB problem because this is not the same Hawkins we would be watching if he were still wearing crimson and cream. OU certainly fumbled its time with Hawkins, but getting away from Arbuckle and out from behind John Mateer was the best thing for him.

Rich Rodriguez has used Hawkins' elite speed and quickness to perfection, while also showcasing his talent as a passer when needed. Basically, Rodriguez is doing with Hawkins what Arbuckle tries so hard to do with Mateer.

Hawkins has the Mountaineers undefeated after taking down No. 25 Virginia 38-27 over the weekend. Through three games, Hawkins leads all Power 4 quarterbacks with 107.33 rushing yards per game, plus six scores. He's also thrown for 477 yards and five TDs with no interceptions while being one of the most efficient passers in college football.

Hawkins gives flashes of Kyler Murray, but unlike Murray, Hawkins thrived after leaving Oklahoma instead of when he got there.

After a productive freshman season at OU, wide receiver Zion Ragins did not record a single stat last year with Arbuckle as his OC. Now, Ragins has an actual Heisman contender throwing him passes and is showing the deep threat that the Sooners completely wasted.

Ragins has scored a touchdown in three straight games and has 159 receiving yards. He had 68 yards total in two years at OU, and all of those were recorded during his freshman campaign before Arbuckle got to Norman.

OU fans will finally get to witness what Ragins can actually do when the Sooners visit Mississippi State on Oct. 24. Unfortunately, it'll be at the Sooners' expense with a former Oklahoma OC as his head coach.

As an offensive lineman, it's difficult to judge exactly how much Jake Taylor is thriving at Iowa State, but life for him is definitely better than what it was at Oklahoma.

Taylor, just months after arriving on ISU's campus, was named a team captain for the 2026 season. He has started all three games so far and could be on his way to All-Big 12 honors by the end of the Cyclones' campaign.

In four years at OU, Taylor made just four starts total while dealing with injury after injury. Magically, he's been able to stay healthy since leaving Norman.

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