West Virginia announces starting quarterback for 2026 season

The West Virginia Mountaineers have named their starting quarterback. According to Pete Nakos, they’ve named Oklahoma transfer Michael Hawkins Jr. as their starting quarterback. He’ll make his debut against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on Sept. 5, 2026.

Hawkins Jr. is entering his redshirt sophomore season. He has just nine games and five starts under his belt from his time at Oklahoma, backing up Jackson Arnold and John Mateer over the past two seasons. In 2024, he came in for an ineffective Arnold and started four games, completing 76 of his 120 passes for 783 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, while adding 204 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

In 2025, Hawkins Jr. started just one game against the Kent State Golden Flashes with John Mateer on the mend. Against Kent State, he completed 14 of 24 passes for 162 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 44-0 win.

The Mountaineers are looking for more out of their passing offense. Last season, they earned just 2,267 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions through the air. They cycled through multiple starters after Nicco Marchiol suffered a season-ending injury against the Kansas Jayhawks. They also earned Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook, who won the 2025 Conference USA Player of the Year, from the transfer portal.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: West Virginia announces starting quarterback for 2026 season