Michael Hawkins describes his relationship with Jackson Arnold amid QB change

Last year, when quarterback Dillon Gabriel transferred out of Oklahoma to attend Oregon and true freshman Jackson Arnold got his first career start against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl, a change of guard occurred in Norman. A sign that Arnold would now be the quarterback of the future for the Sooners.

But just five games into what was supposed to be the Arnold era, the guard has changed again at the quarterback position. With true freshman Michael Hawkins getting the first college start of his career against Auburn last weekend and leading Oklahoma to a 27-21 comeback win over the Tigers. The program’s first conference win as members of the SEC.

Quarterback changes test the strength of a team and the camaraderie of the quarterbacks involved. But Hawkins recently spoke about his strong relationship with Arnold has been unchanged through it all.

“It’s been great, we have the same relationship we had before so nothing has changed. It’s a good relationship,” Hawkins said. “We always try to help each other out in film or even off the football field.”

Oklahoma’s SEC opener against Tennessee in Week 4 represented a rough outing for Arnold and where things would change for Oklahoma’s offense. As the former five-star prospect would get benched in the second quarter after completing just 43.8% of his passes for 54 yards with three turnovers.

Hawkins entered the game and has not looked back since. Throwing for 161 yards and a touchdown to lead Oklahoma’s only two touchdown-scoring drives in their loss to Tennessee. Also leading the Sooners in rushing and getting the nod to lead the offense in their first road test of the season at Auburn.

On the first offensive possession of the game for Oklahoma, Hawkins flashed his running ability with a 47-yard touchdown run to break open the game. But the Sooners’ offense would go cold after that, finding themselves down 21-10 in the fourth quarter.

But a defensive touchdown and dedication to the rushing attack led by Hawkins allowed the Sooners to score 17 unanswered points to pull out the big win. Earning a signature win heading into their bye week where both quarterbacks will look to continue growing alongside one another and keep the vibes high heading into the biggest game of the season. A Red River Rivalry matchup against Texas in Dallas next weekend.