The Mountaineers found what they were looking for in a quarterback from SEC country. Michael Hawkins Jr. has found his rhythm immediately in Morgantown. Together, they’re off to a 3-0 start.

Hawkins started his football career at Oklahoma, following in the footsteps of his father, who played for the Sooners in 2002. But in a twist of fate, Hawkins and his brother Maliek entered the transfer portal looking for a change and landed in Morgantown.

"I definitely took a lot of learning from Oklahoma and transferring it to here with Rich Rod's offense,” Hawkins said. “It just helps me out more, just learning new people's coaching styles.”

One of those new coaching styles comes from Pat White, the WVU legend whose jersey number was retired before the season opener. White returned to the program in 2025 as the assistant quarterbacks coach, and it didn't take long for his knowledge to rub off on the Mountaineers’ new starter. Hawkins amassed 322 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in his first three games with the Mountaineers and is on pace to surpass White’s program record of 1,335 yards on the ground in 2007.

Even though Hawkins didn't know much about White before joining the Mountaineers, he's already putting up plays like him. Hawkins' 71-yard touchdown scramble against UT Martin is the longest scoring run by a WVU quarterback since White took one 76 yards back in 2005.

His 13-yard score in the third quarter contributed to 96 rushing yards on the day. He added 155 yards through the air with two more touchdown passes. 

WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez believes Hawkins’ recent play shows he’s the guy the Mountaineers need in the backfield.

"Really, I thought he played really well,” Rodriguez said. “He obviously has the ability to make big plays with his feet. I thought he saw the field really well.”

Hawkins finished the day as the team’s leading rusher, edging out running back Cam Cook, who led the country in rushing yards last season at Jacksonville State.

"We just want each other to eat,” Hawkins said. “But it's obviously that going back and forth with one another quickly.”

Hawkins has the Mountaineers off to their first 3-0 start since 2018. That third victory came in the form of a 38-27 upset over No. 25 Virginia in the Duke's Mayo Classic. Hawkins put on a show once again, finishing with 190 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 123 yards and three additional scores.