MORGANTOWN (WVDN)- The West Virginia Mountaineers will feel a little more confident and optimistic this coming 2026 campaign about the quarterback room than they did at the beginning of 2025.
The reason?
They targeted a transfer in the offseason, and got him (Michael Hawkins from Oklahoma), and they have one coming back that started the whole second half of last season and performed extremely well (Scotty Fox, Jr.).
The room also has Max Brown and Jyron Hughley, two guys the staff believes in, plus former Spring Mills standout Max Anderson, but the race for the starting spot will come between Hawkins and Fox.
When making the decision as to who will be the starter in the season opener against Coastal Carolina, it will be what does the coaching staff value the most, a runner or a thrower.
Hawkins is the better runner and has elite speed and moves in the open field. He showed some of those moves during his time with the Sooners in the SEC and was highly successful. He’s also a capable thrower that tries to limit mistakes through the air.
Fox is the better thrower of the two–he had two 300-yard passing games as a true frosh– and a more-than-capable runner as evidenced by his 59-yard TD run last year in the season opener on his second career carry.
The word on the proverbial street is that Hawkins is the real deal, and fans probably aren’t as excited about him as they should be. Also, from that same source, Fox has improved immensely and also looks to take a giant step forward. Basically, whoever starts, the quarterback room is one that should not be a concern at the present time. Both guys will play, but which will emerge as the clear-cut favorite as the season moves forward?
We should find out by the time the Mountaineers head to Charlotte to take on Virginia on September 12.
Fox Stats Last Season:
101-170, 1,276 yards, 7 TD, 6 INT–84 carries, 201 yards, 3 TD
Hawkins Full Stats at Oklahoma (2 seasons):
91-147, 950 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT–84 carries, 262 yards, 2 TD
