Caleb Hawkins Grew Up Watching Oklahoma State Stars—Now He Gets His Chance to Become One

Caleb Hawkins has already played a lot of football for Eric Morris.

He knows the offense. He knows what his coach expects.

After following Morris from North Texas to Oklahoma State, he's expected to become one of the biggest pieces of the Cowboys' rebuild.

Hawkins' connection to Stillwater though goes back much further than the transfer portal.

Long before he ever put on an Oklahoma State uniform, he was watching the Cowboys.

Some of the players he grew up admiring happen to represent exactly what Hawkins now has an opportunity to become.

Hawkins admitted during a Q&A on Oklahoma State Athletics' YouTube channel that he didn't watch much football until he reached his teenage years.

Once he did? One Cowboy immediately caught his attention. Dez Bryant.

Hawkins remembers watching Bryant's highlights and called the former Oklahoma State star one of his favorite players growing up.

That's a pretty good place to start.

Bryant became one of the most electrifying receivers in Oklahoma State history before developing into an NFL star.

Hawkins didn't stop with the receivers.

He quickly became fascinated by the Cowboys carrying the football.

Chris Carson. Chuba Hubbard. Jaylen Warren.

Three different Oklahoma State running backs. Three different styles.

Three players Hawkins specifically remembers watching.

Carson eventually became an NFL starter.

Hubbard produced one of the greatest seasons by a running back in Oklahoma State history.

Warren went from Stillwater to becoming an NFL contributor himself.

Hawkins watched all of them and as a young running back, he gravitated toward exactly what you'd expect.

Speed. Explosiveness. Players who could take the football and make something happen.

Those were the guys who helped him fall in love with the position.

Now he's walking into the same running back room.

That's what makes Hawkins' description of becoming a Cowboy hit differently.

This isn't simply another stop in his college career.

It's personal.

Hawkins summed it up perfectly:

“Being here is better than a dream come true.”

That's a powerful statement from someone Oklahoma State is now counting on to become one of the faces of its offense.

Plenty of players say they're excited after transferring.

Hawkins can point to the players he watched years before he ever knew he'd have an opportunity to wear the same colors.

Eric Morris recently talked about Oklahoma State's history at running back and receiver.

The names are everywhere. That's intentional.

Players entering those rooms are constantly reminded of the standard that came before them.

Hawkins doesn't need the reminder.

He already knows. He watched those guys.

Now instead of seeing Hubbard or Warren on a screen, Hawkins gets to walk through the same program they represented.

That's pretty cool.

Being a lifelong fan makes the story better.

It doesn't make the expectations any easier.

Hawkins isn't coming to Oklahoma State merely to experience playing for his favorite program.

He's coming to produce.

He rushed for more than 1,300 yards last season at North Texas and followed Morris to the Power Four knowing the competition was about to increase.

Now he's being asked to become the centerpiece of an Oklahoma State rushing attack.

That's where the dream becomes a responsibility.

There's also an advantage to growing up watching the players who came before you.

Hawkins understands what Oklahoma State fans expect from their running backs.

This is a fanbase that has watched some incredible players carry the football.

Barry Sanders. Thurman Thomas. Tatum Bell. Joseph Randle. Chris Carson. Chuba Hubbard. Jaylen Warren.

Different generations have produced different stars. Hawkins doesn't need to become any of them , but he does have an opportunity to add his own chapter.

We've already talked about Morris wanting to reduce Hawkins' workload after giving him 231 carries last season.

That doesn't mean his importance is decreasing. Quite the opposite.

Morris knows exactly what Hawkins can do. He followed his coach to Stillwater because both believe this offense can translate to the Big 12.

Now Hawkins gets to do it at the school he grew up watching. There aren't many better setups than that.

This might be my favorite part of the entire story.

At one point, Hawkins was just another kid watching Dez Bryant highlights.

Then he watched Carson. Hubbard. Warren.

Those players became part of his understanding of what exciting football looked like.

Now some kid could be watching his highlights. That's how traditions continue.

One generation inspires the next. Then eventually, someone who grew up watching gets his own opportunity.

Caleb Hawkins already had plenty of reasons to be excited about Oklahoma State.

He's reunited with Eric Morris. He's playing in the Big 12. He's expected to have a major role in one of college football's most intriguing new offenses.

But this is different. He's playing for a program he genuinely admired growing up.

The same Oklahoma State where he watched Dez Bryant make plays.

The same program where Chris Carson, Chuba Hubbard and Jaylen Warren carried the football.

Now it's his turn. Hawkins called arriving in Stillwater “better than a dream come true.”

The dream has already happened.

Now Caleb Hawkins gets the chance to become the kind of Oklahoma State player he grew up watching.