Mike Hawkins Jr. is already forcing West Virginia fans and former Mountaineers to talk in big, bold terms.
Nine games into his WVU career, the quarterback is on the verge of a season no Mountaineer has ever put together. Later this evening, barring something crazy happening, he is set to become the first West Virginia quarterback to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season. He also broke the school’s single-season rushing touchdown record last week in the shootout loss to Texas Tech.
That kind of production has pushed the conversation well beyond a hot start. Hawkins has WVU sitting at 5-4, a record that still leaves plenty to clean up, but the feeling around the program is that this team has been a couple of plays away from being 7-2 or better.
The bigger issue now is what comes next. West Virginia has been working for weeks to get Hawkins re-signed, and while nothing is imminent and plenty still has to be worked out, the push is clearly underway.
If WVU can keep him, the ceiling gets a lot higher. One player doesn’t define a program, but an elite quarterback like Hawkins changes the entire picture. The source material goes as far as to say that if he stays, he’ll have a chance to go down as the greatest Mountaineer football player of all time.
That’s not just outside hype, either. A group of WVU legends weighed in, and the praise came in fast.
“Michael Hawkins Jr. is the REAL DEAL! I am extremely impressed with him!
I think Michael Hawkins Jr is the best QB in the country! He is Heisman-worthy!”
Another former Mountaineer called him “an elite player maker,” pointing to his speed and arm strength and adding, “Michael has a great chance to be one of the great QBs that has ever come to WV. He is having a Heisman-like season!
He has already put up record-breaking numbers with single season TD’s. If we can keep him he has the opportunity to do great things.”
The admiration kept building from there.
“After watching Michael this season thus far, I’m very impressed with his competitiveness! He is always trying to find a way into the endzone and on to victory, this kid wants to win!
Every play! He is very athletic.
Setting records and gathering stats and recognitions along the way….using his vision and his skill sets. Continuing this journey, he will go down as one of the best QBs at WVU….and there have been a number of great ones!!!”
One former Mountaineer said he met Hawkins at practice earlier this season and came away impressed by more than the production.
“I spent time at practice earlier this season and got to meet and chat with Michael. He is quite humble, very articulate and quite mindful of his mission!
Will enjoy witnessing his continued success and his journey in football. Happy he is a Mountaineer and would most definitely join him in the huddle….would love to block for him!!”
Major Harris also entered the conversation, and the comparison came with a clear standard.
“Based on numbers, he has a chance to be the great Mountaineer of all-time. What made Major Harris Major Harris was he led us to a national championship in that undefeated season.
It had never happened in West Virginia’s history. If Michael Hawkins Jr. is re-signed and he’s back at WVU, there’s no doubt in my mind that what he’s doing this year is nothing compared to what he’ll do in the second year, feeling that much more comfortable in Rich Rod’s offense.
And with an improved defense, the sky is the limit. If that happens, there’s no doubt in my mind, and anyone being honest about what they’re watching right now, you’re watching greatness right now.”
And one more former standout summed up the sentiment in simple terms:
“I think he’s had a monster start, as good as any QB who’s played the position at WV. He’s on his way to becoming the all-time great.”
In Other News...
Jaden Bray Just Earned A Rare WVU Honor Off The Field
West Virginia University used halftime of the WVU-Kansas game to spotlight Jaden Bray for work that has nothing to do with catches or yards. The graduate student and wide receiver was named a Mountaineer of Distinction, an honor that recognizes academic achievement and service to the university, and he became the first WVU football student-athlete to receive it.
Brays recognition fits a broader profile that has made him stand out around the program. Along with his community service, he has collected multiple academic and leadership awards, giving WVU another example of a player whose impact extends well beyond the field. The timing of the honor, in front of a home crowd, only underscored how rare the distinction is for a football player in Morgantown. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Fans Saw One Offensive Problem Get Exposed Against Kansas
Kansas controlled the first half at Milan Puskar Stadium, and the biggest concern for West Virginia was easy to spot. The Mountaineers defense had a few moments, including an interception from freshman ChaMarryus Bomar, but the offense never found a rhythm and kept putting the unit back in tough spots as the Jayhawks kept stacking touchdowns.
For West Virginia, the problem was less about one bad series than a sustained inability to stay on the field and answer Kansas surge. The Mountaineers managed only one touchdown before halftime, and by the break the game had already tilted hard enough to leave the home crowd watching a lopsided scoreboard and wondering where the offense goes from here. [Read more 🡒]