Oklahoma football suffered a major blow Tuesday when head coach Brent Venables announced that starting quarterback John Mateer will undergo hand surgery. Mateer — considered a leading Heisman Trophy contender — will be sidelined for multiple weeks.
BREAKING: Oklahoma QB John Mateer will undergo surgery on his right hand that will sideline him indefinitely, the school announced.
Mateer is the Heisman Trophy favorite, per @BetMGM. pic.twitter.com/QiaQ8mzJ6Q
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 23, 2025
Oklahoma will hand the offense to backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. as Brent Venables expects John Mateer to return later this season. The Sooners get Kent State at home before entering a stretch that features six ranked opponents in seven games, highlighted by an Oct. 11 clash with No. 10 Texas at the Cotton Bowl.
Mateer’s injury is among the biggest storylines in college football, and attention now shifts to Hawkins as he takes over the undefeated Sooners.
MORE: John Mateer injury update
Who is Michael Hawkins Jr.?
Hawkins Jr. saw action in seven games for the Sooners in 2024, completing 63.3% of his passes for 783 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He started four games in place of Jackson Arnold, with Oklahoma going 1-3 in those contests.
A dual-threat option, Hawkins Jr. added 204 rushing yards and a touchdown on 69 carries. His highlight came on a 48-yard run at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, which stood as the Sooners’ longest rush of the season at that point.
Say hello to Michael Hawkins Jr… and goodbye 💨💨 pic.twitter.com/9i6nHUJJlt
— Mike Steely (@steelyonsports) September 28, 2024
Hawkins Jr. had a 56.7 quarterback rating in 2024. His best game through the air was in the Armed Forces Bowl against Navy, where he threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Oklahoma names new starting quarterback with John Mateer out
Where is Michael Hawkins Jr. from?
Hawkins Jr. is from Dallas, Texas. He attended Emerson High School in McKinney, Texas, where he was named District 3-5A Division II Most Valuable Player his senior season; Hawkins Jr. totaled 4,211 all-purpose yards and 55 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 15 games.
His father, Michael Hawkins Sr., played college football at Oklahoma before stints with six NFL teams.
MORE: John Mateer season could be over due to hand injury
Michael Hawkins Jr. recruitment
Coming out of high school, Hawkins Jr. was ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN, On3 and Rivals. ESPN had him ranked as the No. 7 dual-threat quarterback in his class.
He signed with Oklahoma over schools like TCU, Alabama, Arkansas, and Michigan, committing in April 2023.
MORE: SEC blasts refs for missing Oklahoma’s illegal ‘hideout tactic’
Oklahoma QB depth chart
In Mateer’s absence, Hawkins Jr. will take the reins of a high-flying Oklahoma offense that is averaging over 30 points per game.
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Michael Hawkins Jr. |
| 2 | Whitt Newbauer |
MORE: How Brent Venables’ defense made Sooners an SEC contender
