Caleb Hawkins Scouting Report: A Homegrown Star

Oklahoma State fans should be fired up about Caleb Hawkins. The Cowboys added one of the most productive young running backs in the country.

Hawkins, the 6'2", 200-pound sophomore transfer from North Texas, has come home to Stillwater and looks ready to become an immediate focal point in Eric Morris’ offense.

Player Profile

Position: Running Back

Height/Weight: 6'2", 200 lbs

Class: Sophomore (two years of eligibility remaining)

High School: North Rock Creek HS (Shawnee, OK)

Hawkins projects as a high-volume, three-down back who can carry the load in a Power Four offense.

He’s a big, physical runner with serious playmaking ability out of the backfield.

2025 Freshman Season at North Texas

Hawkins had one of the greatest true freshman seasons in FBS history. He rushed for 1,434 yards on 231 carries (6.2 yards per carry), added 32 receptions for 370 yards, and scored an incredible 29 total touchdowns (25 rushing, 4 receiving).

He broke the FBS freshman touchdown record, earned Walter Camp Second-Team All-American honors, On3 True Freshman All-American, AAC Rookie of the Year, and New Mexico Bowl MVP.

Strengths

Physicality & Size: At 6'2", Hawkins brings a tall, imposing, high-cut frame. He runs violently downhill and absorbs and sheds first contact like a much more experienced back.

Elite Yards After Contact: He averaged a ridiculous 4.57 yards after first contact in 2025 (10th-best in FBS). He doesn’t go down easily.

Three-Down Versatility: Hawkins is a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield and shows advanced mental processing for his age, especially in pass protection and blitz pickups.

Functional Athleticism: His tape matches his background. He was an Oklahoma 3A state track qualifier with a 22'1.5" long jump and 6'0" high jump, plus explosive basketball athleticism.

Areas to Improve

Hawkins isn’t a world-class burner. While he has good functional speed, he lacks that elite “home run” gear to consistently outrun Power Four defensive backs in the open field.

Low man wins right? Tell that to Hawkins. Maybe he'll start listening to Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz.

Because of his height and upright style, he can sometimes present a bigger target. Maintaining a lower pad level will be important for longevity at the Big 12 level.

What Hawkins is Saying

Since arriving on campus, Hawkins has been impressed with the culture in Stillwater according to an interview he did recently with OkState.com.

“Our work ethic. I feel like we come to practice every day, looking forward to work. Coach [Eric] Morris, coach [Patrick] Cobbs, coach [Skyler Cassity], all of them, all of the coaches get us ready and excited to come out here and work.”

The relationship with Morris appears central to his comfort. “I always appreciate a good relationship with a coach because I want to make sure that if we're on the same page, then everything else is easy. If we have the same mindset on winning and doing everything right, then everything just comes easy.”

Hawkins has already shown growth this spring.

“My reading, my vision. I feel like I've seen holes and gap schemes a lot better. I've been able to lock in on film and see where defenses crease, and offense lines opened it up for me.”

Being back in Oklahoma hits different for the Shawnee native.

“The only big difference is this is my home. I'm just more excited to be here because my family is close and I know where everything is at.”

His mindset is mature and focused.

“I know my capability. I don't know what's going to happen going into it. I don't know who's gonna miss tackles, who's gonna miss assignments. I just go out there, work my best and my guys are right behind me doing the same.”

He’s especially fired up about the offensive line.

“I'm excited to run for the Pokes. My [offensive line] is steady and exciting to be around. They're developing, they're getting better every day, and I'm just excited to run behind them.”

Outlook for 2026

Caleb Hawkins has everything you want in a modern Power Four running back. He has size, vision, receiving skills, and toughness.

With familiar coaches and weapons like Wyatt Young and Drew Mestemaker around him, he should step in and produce right away.

Oklahoma State is getting a proven winner who’s hungry to prove himself at the next level in front of his home-state fans.

If he continues improving his vision and pad level, Hawkins has All-Big 12 potential and could be a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense for the next two seasons.