SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome back to the Heisman Hopefuls podcast, where every week we talk to the best players in the country, regardless of position, regardless of program. After the earthquake that happened in college football last weekend, it's not only the playoff race that is in a scramble, but also the race for the most prestigious award in sports, the Heisman Trophy. There's still so many games to be played, and there are several players waiting in the wings for their moment to power their way to New York. We've got three of those players on this week's show, three players who have flashed brilliance and excellence as they carry their teams forward. First up, our fifth-year Arizona quarterback Noah Fafida, the all-time Wildcats passing leader, and one of the most consistent signal callers you'll ever see. He's got Arizona at five-and-one, its best start since 2014. We'll follow up with Gio Lopez of Wake Forest, who has emerged as one of the best pure passers in the country while leading the Demon Deacons into playoff contention with a 6-1 mark, and we'll close with perhaps the most dynamic and exciting quarterback in college football, Michael Hawkins Jr. of West Virginia, or the only current QB with at least 1,500 passing yards and 700 rushing yards. So we'll meet these three outstanding players right after the music. Every position for every player. They are all Heisman hopefuls. Noah Fafida is one of just five senior or redshirt senior quarterbacks in the entire FBS who spent their entire career at the same school. The Southern California native is Arizona's all-time career leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. So far this year, he's thrown for 1,756 yards and 16 touchdowns with just four picks and a 73.3 completion percentage. He's also added another 104 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. 25th ranked Wildcats are 5-1 and off for their best start since 2014 and host Iowa State on Saturday. Noah, welcome to the Heisman Hopefuls Podcast.

SPEAKER_03 2:10

I mean, I appreciate it. Thank you guys for having me.

SPEAKER_01 2:11

Noah, first off, congratulations on your career and season so far. I want to start things off by taking you to our film room. This is a tremendous throw you made versus West Virginia. Start of the second quarter, start of the drive, first and ten. Uh set up this play and tell me what the original call was and if you change it and how it ended up going where it went.

SPEAKER_03 2:31

Yeah, so this is just a run play. So we had an inside zone called. Um and this is the front side of the run. So uh without giving too much of our offense away, um his job was just to block MDM, which is most dangerous. So that was a play. Um and then you kind of see the structure, everybody low um press to the to the field. We knew it was cover zero, so we gave him a fade. And uh this is one of our faster guys, one of our um one of our more explosive guys. So being able to give him a fade versus press coverage and just give him an opportunity, and he went and made a play.

SPEAKER_01 3:01

Yeah, so uh you feel pretty confident going to this is young uh Isaiah Mizell. He's uh only a sophomore, had a tremendous game uh against the Mountaineers. Did you does it matter who's out there, or did you feel particularly confident in seeing him?

SPEAKER_03 3:15

I'm extremely confident. I'm extremely confident in our in our receiver room in general. Um we're kind of unfortunate to have three of our more experienced, what three of our top guys go down um with injury, but um the depth we have in that room and the culture that they've built, that Coach Bobby Wade, our our office our um receiver's coach, what he's been able to do in that room is extremely special. So uh we have a lot of young guys in that room, but we also have some older guys that continue to just make plays for us, and we have a chemistry, we have a trust in each other. Me with our top three guys, but also all the way down the list, and my Zel's closer to the top of that list, but he's playing extremely high at a high level, um, and so is our the rest of our receiver room. So extremely confident in them and um excited to go go back to work with them this Saturday.

SPEAKER_01 3:57

Well, Bobby Wade, if there's anybody who knows how about Arizona receivers, it is Bobby Wade for sure. Um next, I want to talk to you about your pocket awareness and your ability to step up under pressure. I got some clips of you, even going back to your freshman year, and this is what I think your big strength is as a quarterback, or one of your big strengths. But this one in particular, your ability to, when the pocket's collapsing, just stepping forward, very slippery. And then I feel like you don't try to overextend the play. I feel like you could get rid of it quick after that first initial move. And it's like it's out. As soon as you're forward, it's out. It's almost like you're buying some time, you're getting the secondary off balance a bit. And you've been doing this your whole career. Like, where did where did this come from? How did you develop this slipperiness inside the pocket and this that general awareness, knowing when to step up, when to get rid of it?

SPEAKER_03 4:44

Yeah, I I've been blessed. I've been playing this position for a long time. So I think God's um allowed me to just have a lot of experience and kind of have some feel and some instincts that I've been able to build over time that allows me to just kind of feel space in the pocket. Um, especially being a shorter guy, you have to you have to have those instincts. You have to have ways to find different windows and find different arm angles to get you, get you places. But I also see myself as a point guard more so uh I feel like I'm just a facilitator and just getting the ball to my guys, these guys are a lot more explosive than me, a lot faster than me. So my job is just to get the ball in their hands and um any way I could do that. But I would say I developed that over time through experience, but I also was a big fan of Russell Wilson growing up. So watching a lot of his film. Uh I remember I used to watch his highlights on YouTube and just rewind it and just try to see certain movements he had in the pocket and just try to implement uh implement it into my game. And then as I got older, I became a big fan of Bryce Young as well.

SPEAKER_01 5:36

Oh, yeah, the great comparisons between you and those two guys for sure. You know, your career has generally been a hallmark of consistency. You were highly productive when you first got to Arizona. You're still highly productive five years later, even as you've improved as an overall player over time. What are five tips that Noah Fafida has for becoming a consistent quarterback?

SPEAKER_03 5:55

Five tips. I would say preparations first and foremost. Um, that's something I take great pride in. Uh trying to be the most prepared on the field every single time. So in the film room, in the training room with treatment, that'll probably be my second one taking care of your body. Um, you only get one of these, and just making sure that everything you do is just to be at peak performance mentally and physically each and every game. Uh, I would say do your job. That's something that I try to live by. Like I said, I see myself as a point guard, just trying to um get the ball to my guys, not trying to do too much with the ball in my hands, just trying to facilitate um and things like that. And then two things I've been trying to do, um, especially this year, um, is playing in the scheme. I think our office coordinators the best in the country, and he puts me in a lot of positions to have a lot of success. So just doing my job in the scheme, not trying to create too much, not trying to do um more than I need to. Um once again, just doing my job. And then the last one is just conviction. That's something that um I try to live by um in everything that I do, just ripping it, trusting my reads, trusting my eyes, and uh ripping it with conviction.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

Yeah, you're up to a great start so far this year. Uh, what's what's different from this year compared to last year at the same time?

SPEAKER_03 6:58

Uh, I think we're playing it with a lot of confidence. Um the culture that Coach Brendan has been able to build here, the the the recruits that he brought in uh from the trans reportal from high school, and the guys that we've been able to retain um in this trans reporter era. We have a really good football team. Um, we bought into the culture, and uh, I'm playing at a high level, and then also being able to be in year two in the system offensively, defensively, but also on special teams, that gives you a lot of confidence as a team as well.

SPEAKER_01 7:22

Yeah. Uh you know, I know your wide receiver core is suffering from those injuries, like you mentioned, uh, and we talked about Isaiah Mizel uh showing up big against West Virginia. Seems like you guys all have a great rapport. Tell me what kind of things, especially right now with all these guys hurt, what kind of things you guys do to connect and get on the same page, both on and off the field, you and the other receivers, and how you have to work with them to make sure that you guys are on the same page.

SPEAKER_03 7:46

Yeah, it's a process. It's a process for sure. That process dates all the way back to January. Uh we got back into Tucson. We played a late bowl game in San Diego January 2nd. Uh so I think we got back two weeks later, so about January 16th. But once we got back to Tucson, it was about building that um chemistry and building that trust and that connection. So whether that's going out to eat, um, hanging out, watching film together, uh, we would go bowling together, watch movies, um, go to the movie theaters, things like that. It's just building connection, building trust. And as you build that love and build that trust naturally on the field, um, you're gonna have kind of that chemistry and belief in each other. And then on the field is just reps. That's repetition is the best, um, is the best method for success. So routes on air in practice, but also um after lists, we go and do walkthroughs, we'd go and do um routes on air just on our own time in the end or when nobody's looking. And the things that we do in the dark, that's what that's what you see come to fruition when when you're under the light. So um, like I said, I think we have a really, really deep room in that room, and we've been able to build chemistry from one to twelve. And that's why when your top three guys go down, um, for us, we think where there's no flinch, there's no no uh hesitation, and we're just trying to continue to uplift the standard.

SPEAKER_01 8:55

Boy, uh you mentioned reps. If anybody knows reps in college football, it's you. No one's had more reps than you in games for sure. Uh one of the things that's so cool, like watching you over the years, and again, it seems like I've I've been watching you for for so long. Uh and uh you seem to have emerged as a as a real leader. And I I found out uh preparing for this interview that last season you skipped post-game interviews after wins. Uh so teammates got the credit, and then you spoke after every loss, which is a very difficult thing to do. It's very easy to speak after a win, very hard to speak after a loss. Where did that idea come from?

SPEAKER_03 9:28

Uh I would say that's how I was raised. Um growing up, my father was my head coach from when I was five years old to when I was 14 years old. So uh when you're the son of the head coach, especially my dad, he was he was my biggest critic, but at the end of the day, he's always my biggest fan. So that's just how I was raised. When when we would win, him being the head coach is all about the team, and the team got all the glory. And then when we would lose, um, him being my dad, it was all my fault. So that's just that's just the way it went. That's how that's how I was raised, and I wouldn't want it in any other way. So uh now being in this stage, I think God's put me in this platform. He's given me um so many blessings and this ability to play at this stage. Um, so it's a blessing in that right. But also, football is the greatest team sport in the world. So um, it's all about the team. It's never been about me. Um, and that's why we have so many team goals that that we're um trying to trying to go win.

SPEAKER_01 10:17

Yeah, I uh uh before we talk about uh more about Arizona, I want to ask you kind of a larger picture question. This is your fifth season of college football, as we mentioned. When you look at where the sport was when you were being recruited when you were as a freshman, way back in 21-22, uh, you look at where the sport has changed and your experience, what are some things that have improved during your time? And what are some things that that haven't improved or need more improvement in this in the sport?

SPEAKER_03 10:43

Yeah, that's a great question. I think more so the improved part. I think just the scheme is getting better year in and year out, and you're seeing more parity. Um you're seeing um just teams that when I was in high school weren't weren't big names and they just continue to uplift. And just look at this past weekend where all these so-called upsets is just there's so much more parity in college football and so many more good games. Um I don't think it's just there's no more just top three teams in the conference than everybody else. Every conference, especially at the power four level, has so many teams that can that can compete and that can play. So uh I would say that's the biggest improvement is every week you gotta be on your uh you gotta be locked in, and every week you can lose, every week you can win. So there's no weeks off, and um, every team's a great team. So we're looking forward to being able to go out in our stadium on homecoming and play against another really good team in the Big 12.

SPEAKER_01 11:32

You know, you're a kid from Southern California, you really planted your roots in Tucson, though. Uh in five years, you've gotten engaged, you bought a house. What's so great about Arizona? Why do you love that place?

SPEAKER_03 11:43

Yeah, they they the way they've treated me, the people here, um, the people in the building, it starts with them, Coach Brendan and Coach Deggy, first and foremost, and the culture that they built in this program. And it that trickles down into the locker room. We have great camaraderie in the locker room, we have great chemistry and great love in there, and at the end of the day, that's that's what makes you love playing this sport, um, is playing for your brother next to you. And uh the the bear-down brotherhood is real in Tucson, Arizona. And then I would say it trickles down to the community as well, and the way they've treated me, the way they've treated my family and and my mom especially. They've welcomed her and just welcome us all with open arms. And uh, I mean, I I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I'm a I'm a Southern California kid at heart, and uh, whenever my journey's over, I'm going right back there. But uh I love Tucson and and my brother will submit his roots here as well.

SPEAKER_01 12:27

What are some of your favorite Arizona traditions that you've come to uh to to learn over the years?

SPEAKER_03 12:32

Yeah, the fight song is the best for sure. Uh I think you guys, any college kid that, but when you're able to sing the fight song in the locker room with your team um after a victory, those are the those are the memories you'll you'll always remember.

SPEAKER_01 12:44

Uh who's on your Mount Rushmore of Arizona athletes, regardless of sport.

SPEAKER_03 12:48

Oh, regardless of sport?

SPEAKER_01 12:50

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 12:51

Okay, let me think about this. Regardless of sport, I'm gonna throw um I'm just keeping the football because people the twos on the twos on comedian will be mad at me if I forget some of these other guys in these other sports. So it just football is Chuck Cecil, um, Ricky Hunley, Teddy Bruski, and Rob Waldr. Those are I I mean, I would also throw, I would also throw Tetro McMillan in there um and what he's doing in the in the NFL, and I'm a little biased because that's my boy, but um, those are the top five guys in in Arizona history for sure.

SPEAKER_01 13:21

Yeah, that's an awesome uh uh Mount Rushmore for sure. And and so as for you, when your college career comes to an end, what do you hope people in Tucson say about you?

SPEAKER_03 13:31

That would that I brought home a Rose Bowl and that I brought home a Big 12 championship. That's I want those banners in our stadium forever.

SPEAKER_01 13:38

Well, there's also this little trophy that that's out there as well. Arizona handed out Heisman resumes at Media Days for you and bought billboards near Tempe, which is minutes from your rival Arizona State. You said you know about the campaign. Uh, how does it feel to have your school campaign for you and get behind you like that?

SPEAKER_03 13:55

Oh, it's such a blessing. That's uh, yeah, I had no idea about it. Um we were doing an interview and I saw people passing out papers, so I had no idea what it was, but it's a blessing. This is the greatest. This uh people always say this is the greatest award in amateur sports. In my opinion, it's the greatest award of sports in general. Um, regardless of sport, regardless of level. Um, you see kids as young as five years old throwing up Heisman poses after touchdowns. So this is the greatest award, and this is something that I've dreamt of my entire life. I remember um being, I think I was 13 and we were doing picture day, and they told you they told us to do a pose, and I did the Heisman pose. So um I'm a I'm a I'm a team guy uh through and through. And like I said, everything's about the team and and um achieving these team goals, but I'd be lying if I said a Heisman Trophy wasn't in my goals um when I was growing up and still this year. So um that's definitely something that's on my radar.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

Well, Noah Fafida, University of Arizona, congratulations uh once again on the five and one start. Good luck against Iowa State this coming Saturday. Good luck the rest of the season, and maybe we will see you in New York down the road.

SPEAKER_03 14:56

Yes, sir. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 14:59

Our next guest is Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez, one of the hottest players in the country right now. The six-foot, two hundred and twenty-pounder from Madison, Alabama has the Demon Deacons off to a six and one mark, with the one loss being a hard-fought one versus Miami. So far this year, he has 1,947 passing yards on 68% completions with 17 touchdowns and just one interception. He's also added a rugged 253 yards and six scores on the ground. He is the trigger man in Wake's power spread offense under offensive coordinator Rob Izell. Started out his college career at South Alabama with Izel, had a pit stop at North Carolina with Bill Belichick, and is now on Winston-Salem with Izell again. And it appears for him that the third stop is the charm. Gio Lopez, welcome to the Heisman Hopeless Podcast.

SPEAKER_00 15:47

Thank you for having me. Yeah, that was a great introduction. There we go.

SPEAKER_01 15:50

Yeah, thanks. Uh Wake Forest is no stranger to innovative offenses, and it looks like this year is no different. Uh let's start things out how we usually do here in the film room so we can check out a couple of my favorite plays of yours this season. That works for you? Yeah, sounds good. Cool. First clip is this pass against Miami. Our producer Owen's gonna cue it up. You remember this play? Yeah. Yeah. Tell me, first of all, uh, some interesting things happen on this play. Let's pause it right there, Owen. Bring it back. So, first of all, is this always gonna be a pass going in? Or was there was there an option here?

SPEAKER_00 16:25

Oh no, this was a straight drop back pass, but we've had some runs that set up off of it with the reverse or like just inside zone and selling the reverse. So we've kind of one of those deals you set up throughout the, you know, throughout the season, and we finally got the call against Miami this week.

SPEAKER_01 16:37

Yeah, and that's where that little where the little pivot comes for you, right? Uh all right, let's watch the play. Tell me what's going through your head as this is happening.

SPEAKER_00 16:45

Uh so I saw the reverse and you know, pop back. You know, we have a clear out post from uh from my ex, and then I popped back to uh Cam Johnson, and he's winning on top of number one. So I just knew to give him a good chance, give him a chance at the ball, and we connected on it, thankfully. So that was good.

SPEAKER_01 17:00

That's a beautiful pass. I'm sure the defender could hear the ball going by his ear hole. That's how what a dart that was you threw in there. Uh, we're gonna go to another play, uh, which I think really exemplifies what I see of you this year. Uh this is a run play against Camilla. Look at you just bowling through here. You guys are up 27-0, and you are like a bull in a China shop, not to be denied such attitude right here.

SPEAKER_00 17:25

Oh, you know, I've always been a I remember, you know, when I was younger, I played PB. I was running 34, played running back. My dad was always like, you know, you gotta deliver the first punch, stuff like that. So I've always been kind of my mentality when I was younger. And then the play before that, it was uh I had a scramble and I got to like third. I thought I was, I thought I got the first down and didn't get it, so Coach Dicker was yelling at me, so I was already little, I was like, all right, well, I was irritated with this. So I was like, I need to get this first down before I don't get yelled at on the sidelines. So that was really the main objective.

SPEAKER_01 17:49

Well, you know, you you're also bigger this year, right? I saw you're listed at 220, whereas before you were listed at 200. Are you actually bigger and stronger?

SPEAKER_00 17:55

Uh I don't yeah, I was listed at UNC at like 205 or something. I was never I was 205. I've never I was like 220, I was like 212, 213. I'm like 220 now, 218. Kind of fluctuate between there. So I'm a little bigger, but nothing too crazy.

SPEAKER_01 18:10

Well, it doesn't seem to be affecting your your speed or your footwork. Uh, you know, Coach Dickert, he uses the build in the dark uh slogan. Uh I heard you say before the season that maybe it should be lights out. Did you have a premonition this offense was going to be something special? Tell me uh what you saw back then.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

Uh, you know, I would just say just during you know spring ball and fall camp, we were having really good, you know, really good days, stacking good days against uh, you know, one of the best defense in the country in our defense. So if you're you know, we're scoring a lot of points against our defense or having good plays against them during the spring in the offseason fall camp, uh, you know, I just kind of felt confident that we're gonna be able to do it against other teams. So, you know, just knew and kind of early that we had a really good offense.

SPEAKER_01 18:46

Yeah, you should do. Uh, you know, you referred to getting back into uh Coach Ezelle's offense like riding a bike. What is it about his scheme that seems to fit you better than any other?

SPEAKER_00 18:56

Uh I just think he knows he just knows me, you know, really well, just kind of seen me since I was, I mean, he was creating me when I was 16 years old, you know, and just kind of seen me when I was a true freshman at stuff and watched me develop, you know, throughout the years. And I just think he's kind of always put me in the right situations, kind of learned me when I was young and you know, immature, like still learning how to become a better quarterback. So I think he's just kind of watched my development over the years and he's always put me in the best situations, and he's always communicating with me about what like what plays I like, what I don't like. And I just kind of trust him as you know, trust him, have blind belief in him, and whatever play he calls, I can go execute it. So just kind of that trust and belief we have in one another.

SPEAKER_01 19:28

It must have been like in the back of your mind for a while when you after you decided to leave North Carolina. I mean, going up to Winston-Salem, Coach Gizel's already there. I mean, it's it's like kind of coming home again in a way, someone you know, someone you trust. Isn't that that must have been a really big factor, right? Coming over.

SPEAKER_00 19:44

Yeah, of course. It was a big factor, of course, just kind of one of the big things, like when I hit the portal and we I got to see him. Uh, it wasn't even about like football. He was just asking me how I've been, like, how's my mental doing? How's my body? Like this rough season. I, you know, I actually had to end up getting surgery at the end of last season on my uh fibula. So, like, just all that, just kind of checking on me as a person. So I was kind of the first thing. And then we talked about, and then what really sold me, of course, was Coach Dickard. Just meeting with him, the kind of person he is, the kind of energy he brings. You don't see that really anywhere. So this kind of one of those guys like, man, I would love to play for Coach Dickard and be paired up back with Coach Eizel. So I just didn't want to pass up that opportunity. I'm glad I didn't.

SPEAKER_01 20:17

Yeah, makes total sense. Good thing you did. You know, you're a lefty quarterback. I just love watching lefty quarterbacks play. They tend to throw beautiful balls. What are some advantages of being a lefty quarterback that nobody talks about?

SPEAKER_00 20:30

Of course, just kind of defensively, you know, you kind of prepare for righties. You're kind of like, okay, they're gonna screw if they roll out, you know, sprint out plays are gonna always be to the right, sprint out plays are you just kind of sit up, or just little things I've learned. Like uh we had one of our D linemen's told me that, you know, like naturally when they you know try to you know deflect the ball, they kind of jumps naturally to the right side. He's like, but with you, like you gotta jump to the left, you're just not thinking in a game, you're not thinking about that stuff. So there's kind of little things I've heard over you know over the years, and uh I think it's been an advantage. So I think it's it's been working out though.

SPEAKER_01 20:58

Nice. Uh who would be on your Mount Rushmore of left-handed quarterbacks?

SPEAKER_00 21:02

Hmm. Of course, Michael Vick, uh Tua. I would say not a lot, are they? Tua. Uh was it Pat White left uh lefty? I believe he was. I could be wrong. I think he was. I think he was. I don't know. I know one thing I will say, I never really just because there was not a lot of lefties, I was just kind of watching everybody. So I never been two and two, and it was really cool to see two of though when I was younger and seeing two of this kind of flourish at Bama. So I was always this kind of someone I watched in Michael Vick, of course.

SPEAKER_01 21:34

Nice, nice. Well you're Tim Tebo. Tim Tebo was like, Tebo, there you go. There's another Heisman winner. Also, Matt Leinert, Heisman winner, right? Uh, your teammates at North Carolina called you Magic Johnson. Uh, what are they calling you at Wake Forest?

SPEAKER_00 21:49

I don't think I have a really uh a nickname here. I think I just call me Gio here just every day. Uh I'll got a crazy nickname this song.

SPEAKER_01 21:59

All right, well, get it. You don't need a crazy nickname to do well. Coach Dickert makes things fun for his players. That's what you've told people. Tell me more about that. What does he do to make things fun?

SPEAKER_00 22:08

Yeah, I mean, Coach Dickert just does a really good job with us, you know, growing as a team and just growing a bond. I mean, we we go bowling, we've done water park events, we've just done so many team bonding things that just kind of show on the field. And then even in Cal, we went to the movies, watched a movie there. We did like a team game night on Thursday just to like keep our bodies going and stay up in that time, just getting us used to the time zone over there. So, like, even in those times of like being in competitive spirits and like preparing for a game, he's always done a really good job having us bond and you know, just make sure that we're still just enjoying playing football and like enjoying everyday life with one another.

unknown 22:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:39

Are you any good at bowling by any chance? I'm solid at bowling. I'm not elite, but I'm not the worst. I'm I'm competitive though. I can compete.

SPEAKER_01 22:48

Nice. I only ask because I I talked to Sammy Almasogo over UCLA earlier in the year, and he claimed he was a top 30 bowler in college football. I've never heard such a claim, so I so I once I hear bowling, I have to ask people if they're any good just to just to kind of measure against him.

SPEAKER_00 23:02

So no, I don't I wouldn't say I'm a top on this team, though, because we got some really good bowlers. We got some guys like really bowl, like our whole running back room bowls, like all of them. It's ridiculous. Like they got their own balls and everything.

SPEAKER_01 23:13

Nice. Uh, you've had to navigate three different schools in your career. Uh, what are three tips you give to players dealing with the transfer portal?

SPEAKER_00 23:21

Yeah, I think I think my the biggest tip I'd say is just go somewhere where you really want to be their everyday life. I mean, let's for me, just like just being in Winston-Salem every day has been awesome. Just like even if you take away football from you know the equation, just like waking up in Winston, going to school here, just like like being where you're at. Because I mean, at the end of the day, even if you have the opportunity to go to school that you, you know, get an opportunity to play for, if you don't like being there, you know, day-to-day, then you're not going to enjoy your time there. So I'd just say the biggest thing is just kind of going somewhere you feel comfortable and that people know you by your name and not just a jersey number and like actually care about you as a person. That would be the biggest thing I'd say to people.

SPEAKER_01 23:53

Okay. Any other factors you'd look at as well?

SPEAKER_00 23:56

Of course, you want to go somewhere where the, you know, offensively you fit, you know, be able to, you know, put your best foot forward and play to the best of your ability. It's always a great opportunity with the money aspect, but you also want to go somewhere where you can like play high-level football. So just that opportunity as well, make sure you fit that offense.

SPEAKER_01 24:09

Yeah. Off the field, you've settled in nicely at Winston-Salem. Uh, you've got a different schedule now. You'd like to take walks with your best friend. Sosa, tell me about Sosa.

SPEAKER_00 24:20

Oh, Sosa, that's my best friend. He's awesome. Uh, you know, he uh he's always there for me no matter I play good or play bad. He's always ready just to play when I get home and just be the you know my best friend there, just taking him a while on walks. He's been to three, all three stops he's been there with me, three different, you know, you know, places to live. And he's just always been you know my number one supporter. So that's my that's my dog, man. I love him.

SPEAKER_01 24:40

That's literally your dog. Literally my dog. Uh just for those listening, he is are watching. He is a uh French Bulldog, right?

SPEAKER_00 24:48

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 24:48

French and how old is how old is Sosa? He is two two years and four months. Nice. Wow. So so if uh if you see a guy walking around Winston-Salem with a French Bulldog, it's probably Gio Lopez.

SPEAKER_00 25:01

It's a good chance.

SPEAKER_01 25:02

Yes. You're also spending less time on social media, more time on reading good old-fashioned books, I take it, like the heart, the hard copies. Um, or maybe it's maybe it's uh Kindle. I heard back in August you were working on the myth of Sisyphus. Did you actually get through that one?

SPEAKER_00 25:18

Uh I got through it. I was getting through it until uh we got to fall camp. I just like then it turned into like I was watching football every day, taking notes on football. But I was getting through it, you know. I really enjoyed that book. It was it was uh something that Coach Ben, our strength coach, put me on. So just kind of I always been a hard copy guy just because my mom used to she used to make us read every day as kids. So it's just something I've always you know kind of kept into my kept in my life, and I always think it's a positive to get, you know, get some reading in.

SPEAKER_01 25:41

Yeah. Any takeaways from that book? Like have you ever felt like you're pushing a boulder up the hill?

SPEAKER_00 25:47

Oh yeah. I mean, of course, like I'm super thankful for like all the experience I've had in my life, and you know, especially last year. And I think it was just kind of the situation is finding the best in every situation, just kind of finding the enjoyment, finding the takeaways, and look at the positives and the blessings of every opportunity that you have.

SPEAKER_01 26:01

Yeah, is life as absurd as Camus would have us believe?

SPEAKER_00 26:05

No, I personally don't think so.

SPEAKER_01 26:08

All right, give us three book recommendations for uh for next summer or winter break.

SPEAKER_00 26:14

Okay, so of course the book of Sisphist, I'd say. I would also say David Goggins, um, any David Goggins book. I've read I've read two of them, I can't remember the name. I've read two of those just because I don't know I'm more of a David Goggins. I like his motivational stuff. And then Coach Ben has us reading about the gulag, like it was a book uh about the like the gulags, and um I forgot exactly where it was, but we were yeah, we were reading about he had me reading about those two, and it was it's pretty interesting seeing what those people are going through every day and just kind of seeing what kept them motivated to keep like pushing forward. It's kind of I kind of became a history buff, you know, kind of getting a little older, I guess. It's kind of interesting in the past. So that's been something I've been reading as well.

SPEAKER_01 26:52

Was that the gulag archipelago? Or or Yes. Yeah, that's a great book, actually. Alexander Kills and He's a interesting thing. Uh, what are your plans for the bye week? Are you gonna dig in any more books?

SPEAKER_00 27:04

Uh I'm actually planning on going home to see my grandparents, so I'm excited to see them. I haven't got to see them since you know the season started up. They can't really travel. So I'm just looking forward to that and then uh just kind of take care of my body. And hopefully, I, you know, on the way, on the way home on the flight, I'll probably grab a book, the read uh while I'm on there. Nice.

SPEAKER_01 27:21

Uh back to football, real quick. Pro football focus grades you first among 262 quarterbacks this season. You know, as someone who came out of high school a bit undersized, a bit under-recruited, that's got to make you feel great, right? How does that make you feel? I mean, does it feel like you you've just come a long way, finally arrived in some way?

SPEAKER_00 27:41

Yeah, I mean, I actually didn't know that. So that's really cool. So, but uh, I would just say, uh, yeah, of course, it's it's awesome. I think the biggest thing for me was just kind of being a representation for you know, you know, the younger guys around me, like Ganon Jones, he's a little freshman that he's he's five, he's shorter than I am, and like he's just kind of always been motivated to be around me and steal. And then just the younger guys back at home texting me, just looking up to me from my old high school and stuff like that, really just kind of keeps me motivated and just makes me want to be a good, you know, a good representation for them and just keep them motivated. So it's it's it's a really cool, honestly, experience to go through. And if I can teach these younger guys anything, and then I feel like I'm doing right. So if I can take anything away from me, then that's that's something I want to keep doing.

SPEAKER_01 28:20

Yeah, nice. You know, the Heisman trophy race is heating up now as we hit the midpoint. We're gonna hit the home stretch pretty soon. Can you name me a few of your favorite Heisman winners over the years?

SPEAKER_00 28:30

Yeah. Uh favorite? Johnny Manzo was my favorite personally. I was a big fan of Johnny Manzel, Cam Newton. I was uh a big fan of those like all those running backs at Alabama, Derek Henry and Mark Ingram. That was really cool. Uh yeah, I mean, there's Tim Tebow was a really cool one.

SPEAKER_01 28:47

Who's the one? Who's the one that you we would model your game after most? Who do you represent the most? Who would you say?

SPEAKER_00 28:56

Oh I don't know. That's a tough one. I I like all of them. I think my favorite Heisman Trophy winner, though, was Robert Griffin, the third. Like his was because that was the year that I started playing NCAA when I was like a kid. And then oh, Denard Robinson was awesome too. Man, I don't know. There's so many guys, but I would say probably Robert Griffin's probably my favorite, though.

SPEAKER_01 29:14

Yeah, he his name comes up a lot with the guys these days for sure. You know, Wake Forest has had just one player in its history finish in the top ten of the Heisman vote. That was the famed Brian Piccolo back in 1964. Uh, what do you think you have to do from here to kind of get in that conversation and maybe make it to New York?

SPEAKER_00 29:31

Well, of course, that would be you know an awesome opportunity to get. Of course, I haven't really thought about it. I just think kind of keep playing my game and you know, keep winning games and I think speak for itself. Not to be too worried about the you know the situation, but it'll be an awesome situation, you know, awesome opportunity to have. So I just think if I keep executing and keep winning games, you gotta pay attention a little bit, I would say.

SPEAKER_01 29:49

Yeah. Finally, I heard that when you were at North Carolina, they used to play classical music at practices. What are your top three practice songs or pregame songs now that Mozart's out of the picture?

SPEAKER_00 30:02

First of all, I don't know where how that got so misconstrued. I never said that exactly. But uh anyway, from like my most uh what happened.

SPEAKER_01 30:10

What actually happened?

SPEAKER_00 30:10

They didn't play We weren't allowed to listen to rap music, like we were listening to other music that wasn't Mozart and stuff like that. But I mean I'll take it on the chin, I I guess. But I would say my uh my probably my favorite songs to listen to before games is Neighborhood Heroes by Big 30, uh G Herbo, uh, you know, Who Run It, and then there's anything, Chief Keefe. Honestly, coach coaches played Chief Keefe a bunch, so just any of those guys just gets me gets me gets me ready in that that my kind of mindset.

SPEAKER_01 30:40

Nice. All songs that if I actually knew, those songs would no longer be considered cool. So Dio Lopez, thanks for coming on the Heisman Hopefuls podcast. Uh enjoy the week off. Uh get some rest. Good luck against Virginia and good luck the rest of the season.

SPEAKER_00 30:53

Appreciate y'all. Thank y'all for having me.

SPEAKER_01 30:57

Next up on the Heisman Hopefuls podcast is quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. of West Virginia. The sophomore Phenom is in his first year in Morgantown after transferring over from Oklahoma. A six foot-one, two hundred and five pounder from Dallas is the latest on a long line of ultra dynamic Rich Rodriguez signal callers, combining a big arm and an explosive run game. Through seven games, he's thrown for 1,519 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception. And he's rushed for 749 yards and 14 scores, a number that leads the nation right now. He's coming off a career high, 464 yards passing and a thrilling win over Cincinnati, part of a 541-yard total offense outburst that is tops in the nation in a game so far this year. Remember, folks, he's just a sophomore, so he's really just getting started. Michael Hawkins Jr., welcome to the Heisman Hopefuls Podcast.

SPEAKER_02 31:47

Sir, thank you all for having me.

SPEAKER_01 31:49

You run with great energy and reckless abandon. You're jumping over guys, you're you kind of are pretty fearless out there. Have you always been that kind of runner?

SPEAKER_02 31:58

Yeah, I feel like ever since I started playing football, just it's kind of just my mindset of just kind of how can I get in the end zone? Um, and sometimes that is having to jump over people or just maybe running through somebody, but yeah, I think it's just however you can get in the end zone is the biggest thing.

SPEAKER_01 32:16

Yeah, this really seems like a system that is perfectly suited uh to your skills, right?

SPEAKER_02 32:21

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_01 32:22

All right, I'm an old school guy, so I'm also gonna talk about uh some of these other Rich Rod quarterbacks like Woody Dantsler and Sean King. I want to run a clip of a few of them just to remind you of how they were, and I want to uh ask you about them afterwards. So go ahead, Owen. There's Sean King, there's Pat White, you know that guy. General Robinson, he was 10, 4, 400 meters. I don't you may not be 10-4-400 meters.

SPEAKER_02 32:45

That's pretty fast.

SPEAKER_01 32:46

Khalil Tate.

SPEAKER_02 32:48

Oh yeah. I've I've watched his tape. Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_01 32:51

Yeah. 327 yards, a record by a quarterback in college football. What do you think about those guys? And what do you how does it feel to be part of that legacy in this in this spread option attack?

SPEAKER_02 33:03

It's an unreal feeling. Um, those guys are obviously going down as legends and um this college football error, and it's just a crazy feeling to be able to just go out here with my teammates, and they they have my back and I have their back and just be able to just lay it on the field. So it's a great feeling.

SPEAKER_01 33:22

Yeah. You know, everyone knows the quarterback is gonna run it in this offense. Why does it still work so well?

SPEAKER_02 33:28

Um recently I just think we've gotten more comfortable with the passing game, um, gotten that going um early in the game, just getting in the rhythm, and then we're obviously gonna run the ball. Um so kind of just find that balance is the key, um, just moving forward and just the rest of the season.

SPEAKER_01 33:45

Yeah, on your first call with Rich Rod, uh, when you were looking at schools, you said that what stood out was how involved the quarterback is in the run game. What else did you hear from him that sold you on coming to Morgantown?

SPEAKER_02 33:56

Yeah, I just loved his mindset, um, just kind of developing um the offense as a whole, not just the quarterback, um, just getting guys involved, um, having a lot of guys on the field, um, rotating guys. Um, so that was probably the biggest thing. And then just like building relationships was um the biggest thing for me. Um, if I could like the defensive side of the ball, having a relationship with those guys. So um, that was the biggest thing coming here.

SPEAKER_01 34:20

Yeah, over at Oklahoma, it was uh Brett Venables, a defensive-oriented coach. Now you're going from defense over to offense. How big of a change was that? What are the biggest differences uh playing for a school that is sort of has a defensive head coach versus one that has an offensive head coach?

SPEAKER_02 34:35

Yeah, it's different. Um Coach Venables was more on the defensive side of the football during the week. Um he would come over and just kind of watch the offense. But Rich Roddy's very hands-on. He knows what he wants. Um, and that's a great feeling, just having a head coach that's on the offensive side, um, can tell you things that you probably haven't known, um, teaching you things every week. So that's great having him in uh our rooms and just being able to help us.

SPEAKER_01 35:00

Yeah, Pat White is your quarterback's coach, but does Rich Rod ever come in and actually help you with some things or give you some pointers specifically uh at quarterback?

SPEAKER_02 35:09

Yeah, for sure. Um he's definitely helped me along this way just since I got here in January. Um kind of just helped me throughout the week on the teams we're playing. Um Coach White is a great mentor to Coach Ritt. Um they're great guys just to be around. Um so just having those guys in my corner is uh great feeling.

SPEAKER_01 35:29

We've already established that you can use your legs, but let's talk about your arm now against Cincinnati. 464 yards, almost double your previous career high. You also had three touchdown passes. Tell me about your progression as a passer, where you started out, and where you think you are right now.

SPEAKER_02 35:44

Yeah, early in the season, um wanted to get the passing game going early, but um things happen. So just each week we've gotten to a rhythm, um, developing the passing game. I think the biggest thing in going to a passing game is just getting in the rhythm early in the game, like quick game. Um, just get the ball out of your hands pretty quick. So um, I think our coach and staff has done a great job of just getting me in the rhythm, getting the receivers some touches, running backs, tight ends. So it's it's developing really well.

SPEAKER_01 36:13

How does it feel to have a game like that when so many have doubted you as a passer in the past?

SPEAKER_02 36:18

I don't really pay that um too much attention. I know what I could do as a passer. Um, so I just take it week by week and just go out there and get the ball in my guys' hands, um, allow them to make plays for me. So that's uh that's a good feeling.

SPEAKER_01 36:32

Yeah, you threw the ball 33 times now that you had that great game. Does it feel like you can take on more in the passing game? Do you feel more confident week to week now?

SPEAKER_02 36:40

Yeah, for sure. I think just going into every week, just seeing defenses, um, knowing what they're gonna do, but that definitely um is a confidence booster. So um it kind of helped me um just be more in the rhythm and just kind of fill out certain routes um that I haven't thrown this early in the season. So um it's a good feeling.

SPEAKER_01 37:01

Yeah, you were throwing the ball downfield more earlier in the season, and I think you kind of threw more intermediate and short routes in this game, right?

SPEAKER_02 37:08

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_01 37:09

You had 541 yards of total offense, third best in school history, the most since Skyler Howard had 555 in 2015. When did you realize you had that many yards and how did it feel coming off such an exciting win?

SPEAKER_02 37:23

I realized I think when I got in the locker room, so it was it was like a crazy feeling. I've never thrown for that much, but I mean the guys up front um make that happen, just you know, protecting me, um, allowing me to get the ball out of my hands. So, and then my guys making plays downfield, obviously. So uh it was a great feeling, calls were great. Um, so it was it's good.

SPEAKER_01 37:45

You talk with Pat White every day. What advice does he hammer home to you so that you can excel as a quarterback?

SPEAKER_02 37:51

Just always stand down, um, keep my feet, keep my feet right, because that's the biggest thing. You can always have a great arm, but if you don't have good feet, um it's not gonna come out how you want. So he's he's a great mentor of just um technique um and keep my eyes right in the right place. So he's he's a great mentor.

SPEAKER_01 38:09

Did you watch a lot of his old clips and and and learn a lot from watching him in this system?

SPEAKER_02 38:14

I did. Um I probably watch him probably once a week, just on my own time, just seeing, you know, things he did. I mean, just seeing watching his highlights. But yeah, he's he's a great player to watch.

SPEAKER_01 38:26

You know, your father played cornerback at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops before hitting the NFL. I remember him very good player. What did he teach his quarterback son about beating defensive backs? Give us his best tips that he's given you.

SPEAKER_02 38:39

Uh just seeing the corner's eyes, their demeanor, uh, has probably been the biggest thing for uh what he's teached me. Um, you know, seeing like zone eyes or zone if it's inside foot's up or if it's inside foot's back, just things like that. Um he's been a big help to me just throughout my career and my journey. So he's definitely someone I could lean on to when you know going against Stefan's Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:03

Speaking of your journey, which college football stadium and your experience has the most intimidating atmosphere?

SPEAKER_02 39:10

I'd probably say Auburn. That was my first call start. Uh but also we played away game in Tennessee at night, so that was that was pretty crazy. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 39:21

Yeah. Can you walk us through the story of when you played to Tennessee?

SPEAKER_02 39:25

I I didn't play in that game personally, but I was there. Uh it was crazy. It was a blackout game for those guys. Really loud. Had to adjust, so it was it was just a crazy feeling to kind of see that happen.

SPEAKER_01 39:39

Who's the best player you've ever shared the field with?

SPEAKER_02 39:43

Oh, man. I'm probably saying Cam Cook right now. He's he's he's unreal. Like he doesn't go down. I don't think I've seen one guy tackle him by himself, so he's definitely someone that you can just it's once in a lifetime you play with him. So it's it's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 39:59

Tell us about the moment when you first realized his greatness.

SPEAKER_02 40:03

Um, when we first got here, I just kind of seen the way he works, um, goes about his business, really detailed, knows what he wants. Um, but obviously when the game started, that's kind of when you realize you have someone back there that can you can you can rely on and get the ball in his hands. He's gonna make it happen. So he's definitely someone I love being by my side.

SPEAKER_01 40:24

I know you're pretty new to West Virginia, but let's let's hear your Mount Rushmore of West Virginia players, regardless of sport.

SPEAKER_02 40:31

Oh man. Um, I'll go Pat White first. Um gotta pay my respects. Uh and then Tavon Austin. Uh I'll say Geno Smith. Um I don't know too much. Uh Mountaineers.

SPEAKER_01 40:49

You could have three on your mount brush more. That's all.

SPEAKER_02 40:51

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_01 40:52

Maybe you can get me the fourth. Uh finally, what's been your favorite country roads moment so far?

SPEAKER_02 40:58

This last game. I I'd say this last game. Um, because I mean we were 0-3 in conference play. Um, we needed this win. Um get some momentum going into TCU week and our bye week. So it was a huge win for us. Um just seeing the atmosphere as a home game was um a great feeling just having the crowd behind you.

SPEAKER_01 41:18

Do you have any Heisman Trophy winners that that you really uh remember and look up to?

SPEAKER_02 41:24

Probably Kyler Murray. Um I kind of grew up like around him, like just with his dad training with him. Um, so he's probably someone I've been looking up to for a while. So just seeing him back in the league playing is a good feeling.

SPEAKER_01 41:40

Yeah, you were at his high school, I know, at one point, right? Uh, and then of course he went to Oklahoma as well. Was he a big part uh as far as getting you to go to Oklahoma besides your dad being there?

SPEAKER_02 41:50

Uh not too much. Um but yeah, he was someone I I loved being around as much as I could um when he was available. But yeah, he's he's definitely a great guy to kind of you know look up to and compare.

SPEAKER_01 42:06

Well, Michael Hawkins Jr., thanks so much for coming on the Heisman Hopefuls Podcast. Really appreciate you taking the time. Best of luck against TCU on Saturday. Good luck the rest of the season, and we look forward to watching you develop.

SPEAKER_02 42:18

Yes, sir. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 42:21

Well, that's all for this week's edition of the Heisman Hopefuls Podcast. Big thanks goes out to Noah Fifita and Arizona, Giovanni Lopez and Wake Forest, and Michael Hawkins Jr. in West Virginia. We've officially entered the heart of college football season, and it feels like every week the Heisman landscape changes. Don't forget to make your voice heard in the official Heisman fan vote. You can vote once per day at hopefuls.heisman.com, and at the end of the season, the top three finishers will be entered as an official Heisman ballot. Don't forget to subscribe to Heisman on YouTube and follow us on all social platforms. We'll be back next Thursday to talk to some more of college football's best and brightest. But until then, thanks for listening.