Brent Venables names Sooners starting QB vs. Auburn

Four games into the 2024 season, the Oklahoma Sooners have made a change at the quarterback position.

Jackson Arnold became the full-time starter with the transfer of Dillon Gabriel this offseason. However, Arnold was benched late in the second quarter of OU’s 25-15 loss to Tennessee following three first-half turnovers. In the wake of that game, the coaching staff has decided, at least for the time being, it’s time for a change.

Instead, third-year head coach Brent Venables has named true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. the starter for Saturday’s game in Auburn. Venables confirmed the move on his coach’s show on Monday night. OUInsider broke the news on social media.

BREAKING — Freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. will start at QB for the #Sooners this weekend in Auburn.

HC Brent Venables confirmed the move tonight on the Sooners Coaches Show.

STORY: https://t.co/YieBXekQRx pic.twitter.com/Aq4RtpHgkg

— OUInsider (@OUInsider) September 24, 2024

Hawkins was inserted into the game on the final possession before halftime, and Venables stuck with him the rest of the night. Taking his first meaningful snaps at this level, Hawkins took a while to settle in, but when he did, he moved the ball and produced a couple of touchdown drives for the Sooners. Those drives were a stark contrast to the ineptitude Oklahoma had shown on offense the rest of the evening.

Hawkins finished 11-for-18 for 132 yards and a touchdown. He was also OU’s leading rusher, showing a knack for scrambling and gaining yards with his legs. He nearly ran for two touchdowns, coming up less than a yard short twice.

In contrast, Arnold struggled mightily, completing seven of his 16 passes for 54 yards and committing those three back-breaking turnovers. Quarterback hasn’t even been the biggest problem for the offense this year, as that unit has not produced up to the standard in Norman. However, after the turnovers that plagued the offense against the Vols, the head coach decided it was time to…