Michael Hawkins Jr., Oklahoma Sooners legacy commit, shining in final high school season

Frisco Emerson (Texas) 3-star 2024 QB to enroll early and start at Oklahoma in January, continue family legacy

CARROLLTON, TEXAS — Michael Hawkins Jr. is getting used to the scenes and sights along Interstate 35.

The Frisco Emerson senior and 3-star class of 2024 Oklahoma Sooners commit made another trek to Norman on Saturday, going to Gaylor Family Memorial Stadium.

The game against Iowa State was the third this season for the 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback, who pledged to the Sooners back in April.

He has seen the Sooners play Arkansas State, SMU and Iowa State.

“Just getting to know everyone, build those relationships (with the other recruits) and the crowd is just insane,” Hawkins said of the environment for a home game.

He headed to Norman coming off arguably one of his best games for the Mavericks this season.

He was 10 for 11 for 157 yards with five touchdowns in a 77-12 win over Carrollton Ranchview on Thursday. It was a big showing in the town where his dad, Michael Sr., grew up and starred at R.L. Turner High School.

It was the second straight week that Hawkins tossed five touchdowns. He did so in a 69-6 win over Denton.

Against the Mustangs this in Week 6, he also added a rushing touchdown and his six-touchdown effort in the first half meant only playing a little in the second half.

For the season, he has now completed 73 of 88 passes for 1,157 yards with an eye-popping 21 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has four rushing touchdowns on 22 carries and 260 yards for Emerson (6-0).

FAMILY CONNECTION

Hawkins is a legacy commit for Brent Venables and the Sooners that goes back to 2002. His dad started at defensive back for the Sooners that year where Venables was the co-defensive coordinator under then-head coach Bob Stoops.

The Sooners won the Big 12 South, the Big 12 Championship and the Rose Bowl that season.

“It means a lot to go to Oklahoma because my dad played there,” Hawkins Jr. said. “So just to keep that legacy going but trying to build my own name. Getting an opportunity to play under (Coach Venables) will be fun.”

His dad helped him in the recruiting process during his first three years of high school at nearby Allen. He moved to Frisco Emerson this spring.

By then, he had offers from Arkansas, Alabama, Cincinnati, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Penn State TCU, Texas Tech and Virginia Tech.

Allen started as a sophomore for the Eagles and played that season with Chad Morris, a former head coach at SMU and former offensive coordinator at multiple Power 5 schools.

That experience helped him recognize defensive coverages at the line.

Hawkins threw for 2,007 yards and 20 touchdowns last year for the Eagles and was the District 5-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year under Morris’ tutelage.

GROWING UP WITH A PRO

His dad had a football career in the pros that wasn’t typical tract but lasted a handful of years.

After leaving OU, Michael Sr. played in the Arena League for the Dallas Desperados in 2004 and 2005.

He ended up being drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers in 2005. The first-round pick that year for the Packers? Aaron Rodgers.

Hawkins Jr. would later play for the Browns, Vikings, Cowboys, Buccaneers and Raiders until hanging it up after the 2009 season.

“He helped me a lot getting my name out there and taking me to camps,” Hawkins Jr. said of his dad’s role after pro football. “My confidence has changed so much with him being here. He’s really a big part of my life.”

SOONER QB COMPETITION

Hawkins Jr. is one of three quarterbacks in the Class of 2024 headed to OU and was the first of the group to commit.

He will be joined by Andy Bass, another 3-star recruit who plays at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City. The other quarterback coming in is Brendan Zurbrugg from Alliance, Ohio, and he’s also a three-star recruit.

The group will provide depth behind current players — all with Texas ties. 

Jackson Arnold is a freshman from Denton Guyer. Sophomore transfer General Booty is from Allen and came from Tyler Junior College and sophomore Jacob Switzer, is another Allen graduate who transferred from Southeastern Louisiana. If that last name sounds familiar, his grandfather used to coach OU and later the Dallas Cowboys.

“I’m excited to get there in January and get rolling,” Hawkins said. “Get my body transformed and the offense down and build more relationships. It will be really fun.”

RECRUITING COORDINATOR

If Hawkins Jr. has his way, he won’t be the only Maverick headed to Norman.

His younger brother, Maliek, is another likely Division I recruit. A defensive back like his dad, Maliek Hawkins is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior.

He’s uncommitted but Hawkins Jr. is wanting him to come to Norman too.

“I need to get him to OU, but I know he is trying to keep his options open,” Hawkins Jr. said. “But I will be heavy on him (to come to OU).”

Maliek Hawkins currently holds offers from Arkansas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas State. Arkansas was the first to extend an offer in July of 2022.

-- Cody Thorn | codythorn1981@gmail.com | @sblivetx