The 2024 college football season saw Michael Hawkins Jr. and Jackson Arnold in a back-and-forth for the coveted starting quarterback position with the Oklahoma Sooners. Despite the competition, the camaraderie and respect between these two quarterbacks was as palpable as ever.
As the Sooners gear up for the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy, a dramatic shift in dynamics has unfolded with Arnold deciding to enter the transfer portal. His next destination? Auburn. This strategic move has left a mark on team dynamics at Oklahoma, and Hawkins, now sitting more prominently on the Sooners’ depth chart, shared his perspective on his teammate’s departure.
Hawkins quipped, “It is a little lonely,” highlighting the current quarterback roster situation with a chuckle. “But you know, it is what it is. For sure.” His remarks underscore the challenges and opportunities that come with Arnold’s transition and perhaps an implicit excitement about stepping up as a key player for Oklahoma’s offense.
When it came to performance, Hawkins showed flashes of promise with 536 passing yards, racking up a single passing touchdown, two interceptions, alongside 143 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. While those numbers have room for growth, Arnold’s statistical contribution of 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns, against three interceptions, along with 444 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, marked a more robust campaign.
Seeing these two talents excel isn’t far-fetched as they head into 2025, freed from the direct pressure of competing against one another. Their freshman performances for a Sooners squad carving its path in the mighty SEC shouldn’t be understated, bringing hope for continued progress and future successes on their respective new paths.
Interestingly, assuming the football gods have plans in their playbook, the upcoming season might stage a Hawkins vs. Arnold face-off. Auburn is scheduled to visit Norman on September 20, 2025. Should fate allow these two to clash on the gridiron, it promises to be a narrative rich with excitement and nostalgia for fans of both programs. A potentially electrifying chapter awaits in what is becoming an exciting college football saga.
