Caleb Hawkins hasn’t played a snap for Oklahoma State yet, but the national recognition keeps growing. After a record-setting freshman season, the Cowboys’ new star running back is on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list. Now comes the ultimate test: proving it in the Big 12.
Caleb Hawkins hasn't taken a single regular-season snap for Oklahoma State.
He's already collecting national recognition like one of college football's biggest stars.
The latest arrived Monday. Hawkins was named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list, placing Oklahoma State's new running back among 50 players—and just 11 running backs—being monitored for one of college football's major individual awards.
At this point, it's becoming a pattern. Maxwell Award watch list. Walter Camp Preseason All-American. Now Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list.
The rest of the country clearly knows what Hawkins did at North Texas. Now comes the fun part. Can he do it again in the Big 12?
Just Look at Those Numbers
It's worth reminding everyone exactly why Hawkins keeps appearing on these lists. His 2025 season was ridiculous.
29 total touchdowns. 25 rushing touchdowns. 174 points scored. 13.4 points per game. All four led the FBS. And Hawkins did it as a freshman.
In fact, he set the NCAA freshman record for touchdowns scored, earning All-America recognition from Walter Camp, Sporting News and Phil Steele along the way. He was also named American Conference Rookie of the Year and became a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award.
That's not simply a productive season. That's one of the best freshman seasons we've seen from a running back.
Now He's One of 11 Running Backs on the List
This is what makes the Walter Camp recognition especially notable. Only 11 running backs made the 50-player watch list. Hawkins is one of them.
That puts a player who hasn't yet played Power Four football into the national Player of the Year conversation before his sophomore season begins.
Nobody is saying he's going to win it. A watch list is exactly that—a watch list. But you don't get included without creating significant expectations. Hawkins certainly did that last season.
The Awards Keep Coming
Walter Camp isn't alone. Hawkins has already been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, another honor recognizing the nation's top player.
Walter Camp also selected him as a preseason All-American. Now he's being considered for its Player of the Year award.
That's a lot of national recognition for someone Oklahoma State fans haven't even watched play in orange and black yet.
It tells us something. Hawkins isn't arriving in Stillwater merely as an intriguing transfer. He's arriving as an established national name.
Let's Keep the Award Talk in Perspective
Hawkins being on the Walter Camp watch list is cool. It isn't an accomplishment by itself. The award starts with 50 players.
It will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists in early November and then three finalists in early December. The winner will be announced during the second week of December.
That's a long way away. Hawkins has to produce first and considering Oklahoma State's jump in competition, simply assuming he'll recreate 29 touchdowns would be ridiculous.
That's an extraordinary number. But he doesn't necessarily need 29 touchdowns to prove himself.
This Season Is About Validation
That's how I'd describe 2026 for Hawkins. Last year was the breakout. This year is the validation.
Everybody knows his name now. Defensive coordinators know his number. National award committees are watching. Big 12 defenders are waiting.
Unlike last season, Hawkins enters the year with expectations already attached to him.
That's a different challenge. Great players handle it.
