Michael Hawkins Jr. earns national praise after West Virginia win

West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. has gained national attention following a standout performance in a victory over No. 25 Virginia. During the game, Hawkins recorded five total touchdowns, throwing for two and rushing for three, including 123 rushing yards.

Following the win, Hawkins received praise from prominent football figures. Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden awarded Hawkins a helmet sticker, describing him as a “dual-threat beast” who is “poised, fearless, and clutch.” Additionally, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit noted that Hawkins is “so much fun to watch,” comparing his ability to run and throw to the dynamic playstyles seen in previous successful West Virginia programs.

Hawkins, a redshirt sophomore who transferred from Oklahoma, has exceeded 100 yards in both passing and rushing for three consecutive games. His performance earned him Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors.