WVU Football Expected to Name Michael Hawkins Starting QB

Just as expected, and as WV Sports Now, has been reporting all along, West Virginia is expected to name Michael Hawkins as the Mountaineers’ starting quarterback for the 2026 season opener.

Echoing what most on the WVU beat have vocalized for months, Pete Nakos of On3 Sports reports that Hawkins will be WVU’s QB1 to start the year on Friday.

This comes two weeks after Rich Rodriguez reiterated an old joke of his about when he will officially announce his starting quarterback.

When asked a question that could hint at revealing the front runner for the top job between Michael Hawkins Jr. and Scotty Fox Jr., Rodriguez reiterated an old joke.

“I don’t need to tell anybody. In fact, I think it’s kind of intriguing. If you want to find out who is going to start, buy a ticket and come to great Mountaineer Field. You can tailgate until 12:58, but make sure you get in time because at 1 o’clock we might be kicking off or kickoff return, and we’ll see who runs out there. I’m going to know before then. I may know before I tell the coaches. I may know right now. Probably do. I like you guys, I really do, but I ain’t giving you the scoop, so you got to keep coming back. Come back to the next media opportunity, and you still won’t know.”

Rich Rodriguez Reiterates Old Joke, Hints at Already Knowing WVU’s QB1

Rodriguez said something very similar when asked in the spring, and even multiple times during last season’s quarterback competition. But even though he’s sticking to his guns and reusing the same type of joke, Rodriguez also acknowledges that delaying quarterback announcements doesn’t really provide any competitive advantage.

The only way it maybe would be is if the quarterbacks were all very different and the strategy for the opponent would be vastly different depending on who was out there. That, of course, is not the case when comparing Hawkins and Fox, the two in the running to lead the Mountaineers.

“It’s not really (a strategic advantage). I mean, obviously, if they were completely different guys, you prepare defensively a little bit different. But when all of our guys run all of our plays, and they’re very similar, it doesn’t make a big advantage. So if it doesn’t make a difference, why don’t you go ahead and announce the guy? I don’t feel like it today.”

Michael Hawkins’ Background:

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.

WVU quarterback Michael Hawkins takes a snap during the 2026 Gold-Blue Festival’s scrimmage. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

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

WV Sports Now has been projecting 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 and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Rich Rodriguez explains why Michael Hawkins and Scotty Fox are similar.