Michael Hawkins Jr. leads Oklahoma Sooners against Auburn

Michael Hawkins Jr. takes the helm as the Oklahoma Sooners' starting quarterback against Auburn, a bold move announced by Brent Venables. With the Sooners' recent drop in rankings, this decision could be pivotal for their season.
Explore how the coaching staff is simplifying the offense by removing RPOs to enhance quarterback decision-making. Delve into the challenges faced by the Sooners, including wide receiver injuries and the significant loss of Kendel Dolby to a dislocated ankle. Discover how Jacobe Johnson's transition from cornerback to wide receiver aims to bolster the team's depth.
Join us for an engaging discussion on the Oklahoma Sooners' strategy, player dynamics, and the impact of these changes on their path forward. Don't miss out on this insightful analysis of the Sooners' evolving game plan and their quest to climb back up the rankings.
Oklahoma Sooners, Brent Venables, Michael Hawkins Jr., Auburn, quarterback, Jackson Arnold, offensive struggles, defensive performance, wide receiver issues, Jacobe Johnson, Kendel Dolby injury, SEC matchup, college football, Big 12, Deion Burks, Jaquaize Pettaway, offensive line, running game, passing attack, defensive efficiency, ESPN rankings, top 25 polls, Samuel Omosigho, Cheetah position
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#Oklahoma #OklahomaSooners #OklahomaFootball #michaelhawkins #jacksonarnold #quarterbackchange #oufootball #auburntigers
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[@Are2Squared]

You forget to mention that Jocobe also played, slot back, running back, WR, option back. Kid was a stud playing both sides and multiple offensive positions. To say he could be a threat is and understatement.

[@jcarver69]

RPOs should be reserved for veteran QBs with experience, not with guys making single digit starts. Some young QBs can pull it off, but the ones who really make it work are guys who have a lot of experience because they have seen a lot.

[@scotthyde-t9w]

RPO’s suck for the O line as well !! On a pass play the O line backs up to form a pocket !! On a Run play the O line blocks forward !! Because the O line can’t see what the QB has picked they don’t know which way to block, its crazy way to adversely affect a young inexperienced O line !!

[@jcarver69]

@@scotthyde-t9w excellent point

[@JB-sc1tg]

JA ran RPOs all throughout high school. I don't think experience is the issue.

[@jontnoneya3404]

GOOD NEWS - I love that the RPO is out. Keep it simple and let's build up MH's confidence. Also let's not just discard JA as we may very well need him going forward. Honestly everything that's happened has reignited my fire. I'm so bummed it all went south for JA as quickly as it did as I was a HUGE fan of his.....still am. BUT we needed a change and going badly that quickly, although painful, may have been the very thing we needed to really shake things up and salvage this season. I'm MUCH more optimistic about our future than I was this time last week before the Tenn game.

[@jeremiahtarpley2229]

Can’t wait to get Dasan back! Also can’t wait for more Pettaway!

[@thomasslinger3767]

I agree with most people that Jackson hasn’t had the best circumstances surrounding him in his short time as a starter. I personally, however don’t believe he was benched necessarily for making mistakes. From what I have heard, (I am a student here, and have classes with several offensive linemen bc we have the same major) there’s a lot of plays where Jackson calls his own number and flat out disobeys the coaching staff. The play I have heard most pointed out was the fumble on the five, JA wasn’t supposed to run it, it’s supposed to be a pitch THERE WAS NO READ THERE. In practice too he apparently isn’t taking to coaching well either. At a certain point I believe his arrogance has got him benched. I don’t know much about Mike Hawkins, and I agree with Jay and John that he made decisions much quicker. I hope we get it together for Auburn, Jordan Hare isn’t an easy place to play. Boomer!

[@chief-qn3xg]

@@thomasslinger3767 outstanding take on someone on the inside that's heard from the players themselves. I had no idea JA was doing this. If so, he deserves to be benched.

[@mouse3872]

​@@chief-qn3xg you really just going to believe any random account in a KZbin comment section?? If this was actually happening the 100 or so great OU Media People that swarm the campus for every practice, game, and event looking for stories would have reported this themselves... The only thing close to this that has been reported is that Hawkins has been out performing Arnold in practice but outside of that NOBODY that is close to the team has reported rebellious or arrogant activity from Arnold.

[@Googleaccountholder99]

Thanks for the insider info, it makes sense. Bummer though, i was so excited for Arnold this season.

[@Pierre-wm3xs]

JA isn't seeing the field. He's making mistakes he shouldn't be making the snaps he's getting in practice and games. I don't know if OU would of won the game but 3 turnovers?; the game probably would of been a lot closer the way the defense was playing

[@Pierre-wm3xs]

Hey it's Hawkins spot to loose now. Sometimes it's a good thing for a player like JA to sit and watch. The offense just needs to be consistent and discipline. The defense actually gave us a chance to win the game. Oklahoma wine that game maybe with just a offense with a heart beat

[@jcarver69]

When I saw the Jocobe Johnson news, I just had the feeling that Nic Anderson was done for the year or at least a long time

[@scotthyde-t9w]

It’s unfortunate !! Setting Arnold sounds like the right move for now !! Trust is a fragile thing ! It can take years to form and seconds to lose !!

[@JB-sc1tg]

With Jacobe moving to WR, why not try moving JJ Hester to CB? He played DB in high school, and I think with his inability to catch the ball, his skillset is better suited for defense. Having a 6'4 CB that can bat down passes and occasionally catch interceptions wouldn't be a bad idea.

[@Pierre-wm3xs]

No JJ stays at receiver. He needs to get his shit together.

[@nickbagnaro402]

Finding it hard to believe we haven’t shifted the blocking scheme on offense and can’t find a IOL that will get low, fire out and move someone. 🤦‍♂️

[@stevewhitson2256]

Jay you are always spot on.

[@chief-qn3xg]

What is not right is he isnt being developed correctly. You have a defensive minded head coach and a full back guy as your OC. Who is developing the qbs specifically?? This will come back to haunt OU in the future when it comes to recruits.

[@markblankenship6233]

Then who is developing Hawkins? Everyone wanted JA to perform. Everyone. JA May just be a kid who needs more maturity before being a college starter. Not all kids can play as freshmen. Some kids don’t even get there as a sophomore.

[@chief-qn3xg]

Also, until the o-line comes out of the lost wilderness, Hawkins will be running for his life and he doesn't learn to slide, he's going to get hurt. Love his grit, but if he is going to be our QB please slid.

[@davidfuqua3941]

Obviously Hawkins was being developed just fine. Jackson can't mentally keep up and you can't coach that. You either can or you can't. Jackson seems like he cant.

[@chief-qn3xg]

@@davidfuqua3941 I do agree with that.

[@TheSteddypoundin]

The Hawk's athletic ability will open up run lanes for RBs. Thus possible help oline block " maybe zone block."and just have RBz run to space. Sawchuk should love the Hawk at QB . LBs like to eye ball mobile QBs. A DB or 2 will peak thus creating up separation for the long ball. We all know chick's dig the "long ball" . All this means nothing if defense doesn't stay dialed up to 11.

[@teeken8850]

One of the biggest differences i see, is Hawkins release.. another is the art of deductive reasoning in a timely fashion. A few times JA just seemed to nonchalantly float a ball out there into heavy coverage. To the degree it was almost dumbfounding, wuh? I like my CPU's to be ultra fast, OU QB's even faster.....

You should watch Joel Klatt's take. The lack of adjustments from the OC is a big problem along with the OL. It is what it is. Hawkins seems to be able to get out of trouble better and faster and given we're stuck with the OC for now. I seems like the only logical choice now. They need to address the play calling. Hawkins is still a freshman and it's a lot to ask him to perform every week like that.

[@butchkauffman8187]

I’m optimistic about what happened. OU out scored Tennessee the 2nd half. Defense was great, feel really bad for Jackson.

[@jeffives8248]

Could there be weight and mobility training issues due to injuries all over?

[@Joe-zx9qe]

I've never seen fans searching for more moral victories than these fans!

[@andyjones7514]

It's not about moral victories it's about having hope

[@darrellharwell6207]

@Joe-zx9qe what's the proper behavior the fans should have? 🤔

[@Tijuanabill]

You could have stopped your sentence at the first use of the word fans, and it would be more accurate.

[@one4thought776]

If it were your team though

[@blue_diamond_gem]

The lack of player development on offense is a criminal offense.

[@andrewfencl1102]

I might of just been me but I notice once he got in the game u could see him look at the defense reading it. Taking his time to snap it as he watching the field

[@davidfuqua3941]

He scored 2 touchdowns in 8 minutes. We would have easily beat Tennessee. Their offense scored 2 touchdowns in the whole ball game. Look out SEC

[@jeffives8248]

That fire will produce a lot to see!

[@Tijuanabill]

Now the question becomes, "What have they been seeing in practice, and why were they not starting the QB who played better in practice, if that is the case?"

[@chuckkearney9246]

No, he wasn’t concerned about that. If they let Gabriel walk, why would he be concerned about losing his job so that’s what made him play bad. That’s crazy.

[@elmerpiggee9314]

Sometimes it's a quarterback when a offensive coordinator cause of play. When the quarterback goes up and he reads the defense and he sees that that play is not going to work you have to be able to change the play accordingly to what the defense is giving you You got to be able to change the play we don't see that no more

[@timothyhunt2032]

Confidence is key!! Hawkins is the guy!! JA has been rattled since Arizona the kid lacks confidence on the big stage

[@fredbagley7636]

JA got in his own head! I wouldn't give up on the guy...just yet! Both QBs are gonna have to have a line! Not much is gonna get better until the line can execute!

[@TheRealBrotherLance]

Hawkins will get hurt if he keeps playing that way. So JA will be back so be kind.

[@jeffives8248]

People need to stop looking at stars and hash it out in camps and on the field! It’s old school but it works!

[@tonyyates5081]

I think we could pull it off by winning out we can do it with Hawkins

[@jeffives8248]

You have to stretch the field also! Raggins and Thompson can. Will we utilize it?

[@jeffives8248]

Hollywood used to be used to stretch the field and then the underneath stuff is also there when we stretch it

[@jeffives8248]

We still have player buy in with BV. I’m not sure with Auburn coach

[@marshalljankins4526]

Glad to hear no rpo's

[@jeffives8248]

Woody gets toasted

[@Gavin-uz2lh]

Where is Andrell Anthony??????

[@jeffives8248]

That’s the Litrell playbook? I am asking?

[@geralddelaney1557]

You saw a little bit better in the passing game when Hawkins came in because those are the guys he's been throwing to. watch what happens in the passing game against auburn.

[@jaymoore2154]

Johnson doesn't have to set the world on fire, he just has to block well

[@DerrickWattie]

Where's is Mitchell tight end #84

[@jakerohrer7255]

Yall think if jacoby does well he could become a two way star in college as well?

[@DerrickWattie]

Don't mind hope it's the right choice can't have this going into sec play can't go back

[@TheRealBrotherLance]

JA got murdered by bad coaches. Bad O line play. Hurt Receivers and bad receivers not catching passes. Bad play calling. Then getting chewed on by our elite d all off season destroyed his confidence. Sad.

[@brucemcguire5324]

Opinions vary

[@TheRealBrotherLance]

@@brucemcguire5324 Yea true. But I hope those opinions don't just look at one game but off season and games leading up to the last game. Been a systemic issue with the offense. And JA had to deal with all the pressure with MH got to sit back and watched. Now he will have to deal with it. So we will see if the kill his confidence and drive also.

[@moonshynethebombarder2076]

shot out john u been real since MHJ#9. been a sooner. ima get u something personally from him for u promise

[@Tijuanabill]

They should fire whoever came up with the bright idea to have all the running plays run in to the strength of the opposing defense, while running behind the weakness of our offense. We all predicted they would try and run that defense sideline to sideline, to avoid the strong middle, and wear them all out. Instead they ran it up the gut all day, like it was 1980 and our line was our strength. This game plan was devised by a dumb human, not a smart human. Period.

[@BubbahotepEagle]

JA has tunnel vision at this point, i think its the OC`s issue that he is not able to perform, dude is not comfortable with this offense, also the OL is trash, OU needs to spend some bucks to get these great OL kids coming in

[@Lane2268]

I am curious Jay Smith love ya man but... stop flaSHING GANG SIGNS IN THE INTRODUCTION, MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT.

[@yogibear5809]

Quarterback change want make any difference until O-Line can stop a defense line

[@darrenfrazier905]

But you cant have a qb playig it off the cuff.

[@KaJaGoated1]

Hawk has ALWAYS had a bad oline going back to hs. He's used to it and now w rpo being scraped everything will be more clear. I expect a better looking offense going forward no doubt.

[@Are2Squared]

You’re right…it’s about the execution! Could play the exact same games, put Hawkins’ execution in there in there…they are 4-0 with a much better offense. Even if it’s 25% better with the energy he brings…they beat Tennessee and we aren’t talking about the O being a toss up!

[@KaJaGoated1]

@@Are2Squared w a td on that turnover we got at the 5 and then just a fg off the one where ja gave it right back on the lateral pass, the score is 25-25 (we were in fg range). Not to mention UT scored on that lateral pass turnover by ja, if we get a fg instead of turnover then maybe ut doesn't score w a short field and we win 25-22. Bottom line if Hawk had started i believe we win w scores basically being reversed bc OUr offense handed the vols about 12 points to get to the 25 they got!

[@clandestinesyndicate3463]

IF Hawkins doesn't work out either, we'll know that we're getting a new OC.

[@AmandaMack-ok1uv]

Tennessee went into a base prevent defense, basically rushing 4 down linemen, going away from their 4-3 defense, the only reason OU had 15

[@vance9090]

Tennessee also blitz Hawkins more than JA sooooooo.......

[@TheRealBrotherLance]

That makes no sense points are points and as an excuse it's lacks. Tennessee barely won against a team with zero offense for over half the game.

[@chadrobinson3163]

4-3 defense is 4 down lineman…also, no they didn’t…they brought more pressure in the second half, it’s a fact that almost all of the football analysts have alluded to.

[@shawncontreras]

Hahahahahaha😂😂😂😂😂... Looking like we at Oregon going to snatch up your QB Jackson Arnold BET! talk about the place that elevated QB development.

[@jabraedawson]

Yep I'm for Michael Hawkins jr moving forward but Seth Littrell has to call better plays that give Michael Hawkins jr a better chance succeeding you just can't go out there with that simple play calling Seth littrell been Doing knowing that our offensive line is not all that great for instance we are back up on are goal line in Shotgun formation 6 yrs back from the line of scrimmage and hand the ball off up the middle 🤦 in Tennessee's defense gets a safety.

[@bryonholsten5798]

Jackson Arnold was robbed

[@SpecOpsCM]

Jackson Arnold was rightfully benched. I don’t know how we’re having this conversation at OU when he hasn’t shown anything to be the de facto starter at any cost to the team. 5 star or not, OU is a program that requires competent coaches and players. Maybe Jackson Arnold doesn’t have the support from the coaches he needs at this point in his career, but he has to be better at this point to lead this team into the SEC. Hawkins just happens to have enough talent to give him a shot.

[@teeken8850]

I agree!, he was robbed of something, But for the most part of 4 games it just wasn't there, what was he robbed of? confidence? Whatever he was robbed of manifested itself in the lack of the type of quick processing power that deduces product and sum into proper outcomes..

[@markblankenship6233]

He may be back. Hawkins may be worse, but so far he’s not. If he can produce against Auburn, then he is your guy. If he doesn’t, a very motivated JA may be back. This is competitive.

[@AmandaMack-ok1uv]

OU fans are going to run him off leaving them even more inexperienced at QB, they're literally saying that it wasn't Tennessee's defense, it was because the o line was so bad that Jackson Arnold couldn't get going.

[@bryonholsten5798]

@@SpecOpsCM super cute story cupcake