Rich Rodriguez Offers Insight on Michael Hawkins, WVU’s QB Competition

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – At the start of the spring practice period, WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez was asked the question on most fans’ minds heading into his second year of his return tenure – what’s happening at quarterback?

And while Rodriguez is far from ready to crown anyone his guy, he did shed some light on his outlook at the position heading into his second spring of his return tenure in Morgantown.

Rodriguez admitted he brought in transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. over from Oklahoma to compete with the returning Scotty Fox Jr. and even Max Brown.

However, and with a similar mentality to last year, Rodriguez said he will play who gives him the best chance to win right now, granted he’s not against utilizing multiple healthy quarterbacks if he deems both are ready to win in the Big 12.

As far as why he wanted Hawkins, Rodriguez said he’s been familiar with the former top prospect for a while and selected Hawkins over a myriad of other possible veteran options.

Rodriguez complimented Hawkins’ intelligence and ability to learn the offense before even getting to his athletic ability and skillset. “He has all the skills you could want in a quarterback and the tools you need to win with.”

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 a 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.

“Mountaineer Nation!! I can’t wait to get to Morgantown and get to work. Promise to lay it on the line for this program. Let’s build something special!!,” posted Hawkins on social media hours after the news of his acquisition broke.

For Fox, then a freshman, he emerged throughout the 2025 season after gaining an opportunity to play due to a depth chart that endured multiple injuries. Fox threw for 1,276 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 201 more yards and three more scores on the ground.

WVU quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. drops back to throw a pass against Colorado during the 2025 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

But for as many highlights, Fox also made mistakes. Those mistakes and a pressure to win as soon as possible led to Rich Rodriguez looking to the transfer portal for a veteran with a higher ceiling. He believes he found that guy in Hawkins, a former four-star prospect and transfer out of Oklahoma.

With Fox sticking around, he will now have to prove he’s the better option to continue leading the Mountaineers.

Find more coverage of Rich Rodriguez and the WVU Football program at WV Sports Now.