The Oklahoma Sooners are once again undergoing a remodel at the quarterback position.
Last year, it was the exits of Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel leading to the promotion of Seth Littrell and Jackson Arnold. That didn’t go as planned. Littrell was fired after seven games, and Arnold is now an Auburn Tiger.
2025’s remodel will primarily feature new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle, assistant quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski, and incoming transfer portal quarterback John Mateer.
But at least one player from the 2024 room will still be in Norman next season. True freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. started three games for head coach Brent Venables this season, mixing in some good and some bad. He’s decided not to follow Arnold out the door and will instead stay at OU.
As Arbuckle has been observing bowl practices, the play of Hawkins has caught his eye. He did an interview with SoonerScoop.com’s “The Family Business” this week, where he raved about Hawkins’ growth in recent practices.
“Talking about Michael Hawkins, that kid in just five practices, I’ve seen him get so much better,” Arbuckle told “The Family Business” after he was asked about the talent already on the roster. “He is so talented, and he’s gonna be such a dang good player. So he’s someone that I’m really, really excited to like get to work with and put my hands around and get to mold and everything, cause he’s uber-talented.”
Arbuckle went on to praise OU’s returning offensive linemen, running backs and wide receiver Deion Burks, saying that he’s excited for what the Sooners can be on offense next year.
In addition to the transfer portal departures of Arnold and Brendan Zurbrugg, senior Casey Thompson will be out of eligibility after this week’s game. Now, Arbuckle is reloading the QB room on the fly. Mateer’s commitment was huge, as was Hawkins’ decision to stay put. Arbuckle added Jett Niu in recruiting earlier this month and last year’s fifth-string quarterback, walk-on Steele Wasel could still return to OU as well.
The Oklahoma Sooners need a significantly better offensive performance in 2025 and that all starts with the offensive coordinator and the quarterback.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners QB makes big impression on new offensive coordinator
