By: Clark Johnson | WV Sports Chat
Morgantown, WV – Coming into the 2026 college football season, the West Virginia University Mountaineers were in the midst of a quarterback battle. Sophomore Scotty Fox Jr. and redshirt sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. were the top two options, with the consensus among the fans split regarding who would take the first snaps against Coastal Carolina. Once game week arrived, fans discovered the answer to that question – and the rest is history.
Hawkins has started every game for the Mountaineers in 2026, compiling video game like stats on the ground, as well as through the air. To this point, the Texas native has tallied 1,598 passing yards, 836 rushing yards, 27 total touchdowns (16 rushing, 11 passing), and only 2 interceptions. With WVU sitting at 5-3, Hawkins has the opportunity to be in discussions for postseason awards come December.
With the return of Rich Rodriguez to Morgantown, fans and spectators alike knew that he would have to find the perfect quarterback to run his offense. Given the spread option nature of his system, a quarterback that can both pass and run is required in order to be successful. Michael Hawkins Jr., who has two more seasons of eligibility remaining, checked every box.
For the first time in what seems like forever, Mountaineer Nation has what it has so desperately desired – hope. With Michael Hawkins Jr. running the show, West Virginia has the potential to win every game. If this team is going to excel, his presence on the field has to be felt. This is something that the program has been lacking since Will Grier. Hawkins is a true difference maker at quarterback.
When Hawkins initially transferred from Oklahoma, fans saw it all jump off on tape. He had the arm, he had the speed, and he had the decision making. While he hadn’t necessarily put up the stats to match, it would take a coach like Rodriguez to fully bring his full potential out of him.
And maximize his potential he did.
Going into the final four games, fans will be eager to see Hawkins’s game progress. Questions of his status with the program will be answered. As for now, our excitement will only continue to build.
(Photo by WVU Athletics)
