Succumbed to the pressure — Michael Hawkins Jr. sat on the ground in despair after a tackle in the Armed Forces Bowl.
It was the culmination of an insufficient game for the then-freshman quarterback and one of Navy’s 58 solo tackles against the Sooners — more than OU has given up in any 2025 matchup. The Sooners have faced two Top 25 teams so far in 2025, and the offense has held up stronger against them than the 2024 group performed against a small-conference team.
However, four games into 2025, Hawkins prepares to step up after redshirt junior quarterback John Mateer’s right-hand injury and is ready to showcase his growth.
“The game’s slowing down for him,” sophomore defensive back Reggie Powers III said. “He’s making his reads quicker; everything’s happening at a better pace.”
Hawkins’ performance against the Midshipmen served as an encapsulation of his 2024 season, with him flashing quickness OU lacked all season but ultimately not producing enough to win. He led the Sooners to a comeback win against Auburn before leading the Sooners to a 34-3 Texas loss. OU, however, is confident in the young quarterback’s fit in the Sooners’ enhanced 2025 offense.
“All aspects of Mike’s game have improved, especially with this new offense,” redshirt senior offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu said. “I think he’s really going to excel.”
Through four games in 2025, Hawkins has played in one game, recording 5 passing yards and rushing for 24 against Temple on Sept. 13. However, the Sooners feel they have seen growth in the quarterback nonetheless and look forward to him playing more.
Hawkins credits much of his development to offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and senior offensive analyst John Kuceyeski. He said their arrivals are why he did not enter the transfer portal like over 20 of his 2024 teammates.
“I knew I was going to stay. … As soon as I saw coach Kuceyeski and Arbuckle were coming, I liked my decision,” Hawkins said.
Under Kuceyeski and Arbuckle’s leadership, Washington State ranked No. 22 in passing yards on the season and No. 6 for scoring offense in 2024, and Mateer ranks No. 2 in the nation in passing yards per game so far in 2025. Despite backing up Mateer, Hawkins feels that the duo has largely impacted the sophomore’s growth.
“I took a big step, and a big part of that is because of the people around me like coach (John Kuceyeski) and Arbuckle,” Hawkins said. “It’s been a great environment. They are very hands-on; they are really tuned in on what they are doing. … I love how they operate.””
The sophomore has gained a better understanding of the game through his relationship with Mateer as well. Mateer, who holds multiple years of college-quarterback experience, has passed down his knowledge of Arbuckle’s system, while ranking among one of the best in the nation at his position.
“John is a great mentor,” Hawkins said. “He’s obviously been in this offense for a while, so he’s a great guy to go to for questions. … He helps me with stuff I don’t know and can develop my game.”
As the two quarterbacks have strengthened each other, Nwaiwu sees similarities in their excellence in the run game. Mateer leads the Sooners in rushing yards on the season, while Hawkins showcased speed in a 69-yard rushing performance against Auburn in 2024. Nwaiwu believes that, despite Mateer’s injury, the Sooners are not losing a step in the run game.
“It feels good because it feels like we have two quarterbacks that can run,” Nwaiwu said. “I’m super excited. … Mike’s speed opens it up even more. Mike’s an explosive player.”
Although Hawkins struggled in 2024, flashes like his Auburn performance still mean valuable experience for the quarterback and give his teammate confidence.
“Coming off what he did last year, coming here as a freshman, a true freshman at that, into crazy environments, winning games, I’m just super excited,” Nwaiwu said.
As Hawkins is set to start for the first time since the Armed Forces Bowl, the offensive linemen have faith in the cohesion between them and the quarterback.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in the backfield; whoever’s back there, we’re going to protect him,” Nwaiwu said. “I’m extremely confident in Mike, and I’m confident in our ability to keep him safe.”
With Hawkins stepping up, the Sooners walk with confidence.
“He’s taking control of the offense,” Powers said. “We all have our trust in him. We do not have any doubts in Mike. We all know he can ball.”