MORGANTOWN — When most of the college athletes think of West Virginia football, they think of wide receiver Tavon Austin and his highlight tape. New Mountaineers transfer quarterback was asked on the “3 Guys Before the Game” what he thought of when he hears WVU football.
“I knew about West Virginia because of the Big 12,” Hawkins said. “I kind of knew about Pat White already.”
That perks up the ears. White was one of the legendary quarterbacks in WVU football history, winning four bowl games as a starter. He set multiple records and is even having his jersey retired against Coastal Carolina as just the seventh Mountaineer. White did so by being a true dual-threat quarterback.
It makes it interesting that Hawkins said White because he’s also a dual-threat quarterback.
Hawkins transferred this offseason from Oklahoma and was a former 4-star out of high school. The now redshirt sophomore played two years for the Sooners in the SEC. He started four games and played in nine over two seasons. Hawkins had 950 yards and six touchdowns over the two years through the air. But, what he did on the ground was a draw to Rich Rodriguez and is similar in the sense to White’s abilities. As a true freshman, Hawkins rushed for 204 yards on 69 carries and took off for a 48-yard touchdown on the road against Auburn.
Knowing the success of White as a runner in Rodriguez’s offense, Hawkins has attached himself to the Mountaineer legend and now assistant quarterback coach in his first couple of months in Morgantown.
“I’ve probably been with coach White every time I get to the facility. I touch base with him,” Hawkins said. “I’m probably with him a majority of the day. Just trying to pick his brain and watch games on our opponents coming up. He’s definitely been a big help to me.”
The two of them watch film together, and Hawkins said he’s a film junky, especially since he’s been to college. White sometimes throws on the glory days of the early 2000s to show Hawkins and tells stories.
“If I ask, he gets going about it,” Hawkins said. “He has some stories.”
The two haven’t raced to see who is faster. White obviously is a lot older, but back in the day, it might’ve been close. Hawkins said he hasn’t been clocked in a while, but he said he runs a 4.40 40-yard dash. A speedy quarterback is perfect of Rodriguez’s run-first offense.
Working with White was a plus, but Hawkins really enjoyed the fact that a big part of Rodriguez’s offense is the quarterback run. Quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. didn’t play in every game last season, but he still carried the ball 84 times. The year before at Jacksonville State, Rodriguez’s quarterback, Tyler Huff, carried the ball 227 times for a whopping 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“When I got on the phone with Rich Rod, it was really good to see the quarterback getting involved in the run game,” Hawkins said.
Throughout the spring and now into the summer, Hawkins had been learning the offense, watching film with White, and figuring out all the ways Rodriguez gets the quarterbacks to use their feet. Hawkins has learned what type of rushing attempts best fit his abilities.
“I think now that I’ve been in it and matured more, it’s the designed runs,” Hawkins said. “Just kind of staying in the pocket and getting out when I have to. Designed runs are probably the best thing to getting the quarterback going.”
He’s also learned you have to slide most of the time. In select scenarios, you can lower the shoulder and get the first down. Part of WVU’s struggles last year were because of all the quarterback injuries. Rodriguez was forced to play Fox because there weren’t any healthy scholarship quarterbacks left. So, sliding and staying healthy for the next play will be crucial.
White’s helped Hawkins’ assimilation to WVU, but there’s still some work to do. Hawkins has to beat out returner Fox for the starting spot in fall camp. If Hawkins can replicate anything White did back in the day, he’s in good shape, because as Hawkins said:
“He was a dude.”
