Quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., along with his brother, cornerback Maliek Hawkins, found the end to their country roads out of Oklahoma.
According to multiple reports on Monday, both Hawkins brothers committed to the West Virginia Mountaineers as a package deal out of the Transfer Portal. West Virginia had been the favorite to land the siblings after they visited there together over the weekend and didn't have any real reported interest to anywhere else.
QB Michael Hawkins Jr. commits to West Virginia
Michael has gotten the spotlight during the brothers' move because of his position and past experience on some big stages. He made five starts in two seasons at OU, including filling in for an injured John Mateer against Kent State this season. Michael appeared in just two games this season to maintain a redshirt and have three years of eligibility. His departure signified the likely return of Mateer for 2026.
As a freshman in 2024, Hawkins briefly won the starting job from Jackson Arnold and started three games before also starting the Armed Forces Bowl after Arnold entered the portal. In those four starts, Hawkins completed 65% of his passes for 574 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also rushed for 142 yards and a score. His best outing was against Navy in that bowl game as he threw for 247 yards and two TDs with a depleted roster around him in a loss.
Michael made his first career start on the road against Auburn to lead the Sooners their first SEC win in school history. He was also the first true freshman to ever start at quarterback in the Red River Rivalry in 2024.
Maliek was a three-star recruit in the 2025 class and appeared in just one game this season, which happened to be his brother's only start of the year. He'll have four years of eligibility left.
Both were OU legacies, with their father, Michael Hawkins Sr., also playing cornerback at OU, but the move away from Oklahoma wasn't a shock despite the connection. The departures grew the Sooners' depth problem at cornerback and created a possible portal need for a new backup quarterback.