By: Justin Walker | WV Sports Chat
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez recently sat down for an interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Rodriguez was very honest about several different topics. Those topics ranged from whether or not West Virginia can still compete in today’s landscape, to what player stood out on defense, to what it’s like coaching over 150 new players in two seasons.
One particular subject that was discussed was quarterback. Pete Thamel asked Rodriguez what to expect at that position. Rodriguez never gave a definitive answer as to who would be the starter. He did what he normally does and kept things close to the vest. He focused on the competition between returning sophomore Scotty Fox Jr. and Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. Rodriguez was also intentional about praising both quarterbacks.
However, he had a lot more to say about one quarterback than he did the other. When discussing the quarterback battle, Rodriguez said that Fox was,
“a talented freshman that got some really good experience and we are really excited for him. But we wanted somebody that could compete with Scotty.”
Rodriguez seemingly spoke much more glowingly about Hawkins. When mentioning the former Sooner, Coach Rod said,
“We were thinking about taking two transfers because we lost three in the portal. But we got Mike Hawkins [from Oklahoma], and I had seen him play a little bit and there was some body of work to judge him on, but also kind of thinking, I think this guy, he’s got an edge to him, wanting to prove himself kind of deal. And he’s got all the skill set that we need. And so he came here and then he’s been everything we thought and then some.”
The praise for Hawkins did not stop there. When discussing offensive identity, Coach Rodriguez called Hawkins Jr. “a fast learner, fast processor.” During that same answer, he once again mentioned Fox’s experience.
While Scotty Fox Jr.’s experience in WVU’s offense is certainly not a bad thing, it seems to be the primary thing the head ball coach brings up when talking about the quarterback position.
Conversely, when talking about Hawkins, Rodriguez not only mentions his talent, but also his ability to learn the offense quickly. If the one thing Fox has over Hawkins is experience, and that’s no longer an advantage because of the transfer’s ability to pick up the offense quickly, does Fox really have an advantage at all?
Based on Rodriguez’s comments to Thamel – or lack thereof when it comes to Fox – I’m now convinced Michael Hawkins will take the first snap when the Mountaineers take the field against Coastal Carolina on September 5.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
