{"id":11259,"date":"2024-12-28T16:11:30","date_gmt":"2024-12-28T22:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=11259"},"modified":"2024-12-28T16:11:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-28T22:11:37","slug":"ous-freshman-qb-michael-hawkins-jr-is-not-the-problem-sooners-look-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fredsportsextra.com\/?p=11259","title":{"rendered":"OU’s freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr is not the problem…….Sooners look ahead……"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) runs past Navy Midshipmen safety Kenneth McShan (0) during the Armed Forces Bowl football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. BRYAN TERRY\/THE OKLAHOMAN<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Sure, Oklahoma football is currently having issues with winning games, confidence in their head coach Brent Venables, and a general overall take that the program is not meeting expectations that the Sooner Nation expects.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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With that, the Sooners could be ready for a much better future than what has happened the past three years.\u00a0 And the fact that OU\u2019s bowl loss yesterday against a better than average NAVY team showed the Sooner fight is still embedded in this program, which will be the foundation to turn a 6-7 record in 2024 into a much better final look in 2025.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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New offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and his quarterback, portal transfer, John Mateer, both from Washington State, should give the OU offensive a boost to win big in 2025.\u00a0 Mateer is the highest rated quarterback in the portal, and will upgrade from Jackson Arnold, the new qb at Auburn.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Consider the play of Michael Hawkins Jr., the starting quarterback for OU in the Arm Forces Bowl, which was positive.\u00a0 His stat line of 28-43, 247 and 2 scores and 17 rushes for 61 yards was acceptable, especially for a true freshman.\u00a0 Do not underestimate his performance.\u00a0 With some added guidance from the new coaches, expect Hawkins to improve his touch on his passes as his progressions on passing plays and his decision making were very good against the Middies.\u00a0 He had to suffer seven drops by his pass catchers which hurt him and the offense all day long, as NAVY was beatable yesterday.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Hawkins might redshirt in 2025, giving him three years after Mateer moves on to the NFL.\u00a0 The future for OU at quarterback in shinning.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Oklahoma has to upgrade it\u2019s play on the offensive line, settle on a feature back and not a rotation of various runners, get some receivers that can avoid injuries, and make an effort to get their training and medical staff to do a much better job in taking care of the injured.\u00a0 OU can do that and if they do, Brent Venables might be around in 2026.\u00a0 If the same things repeat next year as of 2025. Venables is toast in Norman.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Feature Photo:\u00a0 Derrick James, McAlester-News Capital<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n

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Sure, Oklahoma football is currently having issues with winning games, confidence in their head coach…<\/p>\n

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