How Does Michael Hawkins Stack Up Compared to Other P4 Quarterbacks?

Even though Rich Rodriguez has yet to name his starting quarterback, most nationally are expecting Michael Hawkins to be the guy for WVU.

So with Hawkins considered the assumed starter, a recent article by Sports Illustrated ranked him among the rest of the Power Four quarterbacks.

Coming in at No. 47, Zach Koons detailed why he’s not all that high on Hawkins in comparison to his peers.

“Hawkins may have fancied himself the next guy up at Oklahoma when Jackson Arnold struggled his way through the start of the 2024 season. But the pieces never quite clicked as a passer and after John Mateer usurped him last year, Hawkins made his way to West Virginia. Like many at this stage on the list, he’s beaten up on lesser competition: 503 total yards, six touchdowns and one turnover in two starts against the Group of 5 (Navy and Kent State). When going up against the SEC however: 408 total yards, one touchdown (rushing) and four turnovers,” wrote Koons.

But of course, preseason predictions don’t have to come true. Rodriguez also believes Hawkins fits his system, which is all that really matters for West Virginia.

“We wanted to have competition at every position, and legitimate competition. We wanted guys that have production, not potential. So at the quarterback spot, Scotty [Fox] coming back, he played as a really young true freshman last year and competed well and he’s got better. But we wanted a guy we thought could compete for the starting job and take us to another level, and that was Mike Hawkins, who had a great spring. He could run, he could throw,” explained Rodriguez when asked about bringing in Hawkins at the Big 12 Media Days event.

WVU quarterback Michael Hawkins and assistant quarterbacks coach and program legend Pat White talk during a scrimmage ahead of the 2026 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

In two seasons with the Sooners, the 6-foot-1, 196-pound Hawkins completed a total of 91-of-147 passes for 950 yards with six touchdown passes to two interceptions. He added 262 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

A four-star recruit from the 2024 class, Hawkins drew offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Memphis, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina State, North Texas, Penn State, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and several others out of high school.

As a dual- threat, Hawkins totaled 4,211 yards and 55 touchdowns to just three interceptions with Emerson High School.

WV Sports Now projects Hawkins to be named the starter due to a higher ceiling and potential, but doesn’t expect any official announcement to be made until an hour before kickoff of WVU’s Week 1 game against Coastal Carolina. The quarterback competition will remain fluid throughout fall camp. 

Find more coverage of Michael Hawkins at WV Sports Now.