The Oklahoma Sooners are making headlines after their SEC debut. The 25-15 loss to the now-No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers exposed OU’s offense and the struggles it has early in the season. With just one conference game under their belt, there’s plenty of time to course-correct.
During the loss, OU happened to bench true sophomore and former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold in favor of four-star true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. At the time, the decision seemed bold. The freshman quarterback was getting his first bit of snaps in a real game against then-No. 6-ranked Tennessee. He had seen the field this season, but not in a moment like that.
However, Hawkins certainly added a spark to the Sooners offense that it didn’t have through the first three and a half games of the season. He completed 11 of his 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. He led two touchdown drives, something Arnold wasn’t capable of.
OU to revive “Sooner Magic” with Michael Hawkins Jr. under center
What made those Lincoln Riley-era seasons so special was the “Sooner Magic” that came with the special quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts — all active starters at the NFL level — were capable of extending plays and making something out of nothing at the biggest moments. Arnold simply didn’t bring that to the gridiron for Oklahoma.
Hawkins has the potential to do so, though. Think of his touchdown-leading drive. Sure, Arnold handed the ball off and Jovantae Barnes punched the score home, but Hawkins nearly scored a touchdown while leaping and flipping over a defender.
Being a dual-threat quarterback, the true freshman does more for Oklahoma’s current offense than Arnold. The offensive line has been rough, to say the least, at the start of the season. The wide receivers are banged up. Having someone like Hawkins, capable of moving the pocket around and extending plays, will help the Sooners move the chains and get the ball moving.
Again, the trajectory of the season might not change at all — or OU could come up with a huge win in Auburn on the road behind the freshman quarterback. Still, having Hawkins under center gives the team a much better chance at winning games, making big plays or simply moving the ball down the field.
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