Cowboys add UNT Running Back Caleb Hawkins from Transfer Portal

The second domino of the North Texas transfer portal pool has fallen.

On Sunday, former Mean Green running back Caleb Hawkins announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on social media. Reports earlier in the week suggested Hawkins was also being pursued by Oklahoma and Texas, but Hawkins will instead sport orange and black for his sophomore campaign. He becomes OSU’s fourth portal commitment this offseason and will join his quarterback Drew Mestemaker and head coach Eric Morris in Stillwater.

A native of Shawnee, Hawkins was overlooked as a recruit in high school with UNT being his lone D-I offer. Fast-forward, Hawkins set the FBS freshman total touchdown record with 29 this season. He led college football in rushing touchdowns with 25, to go with 1,434 rushing yards on 231 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.  

BREAKING: North Texas star transfer RB Caleb Hawkins has Committed to Oklahoma State, @On3Sports has learned

He totaled 1,804 yards and 29 TDs this season

Hawkins was named the AAC Rookie of the Year, 1st Team All-AAC, and an On3 Freshman All-Americanhttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/qzqIqUoK6t

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 4, 2026

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What Hawkins' commitment means for OSU

Hawkins’ commitment is vital for the Cowboys’ running back room after Rodney Fields and DJ Dugar entered the transfer portal over the weekend. Hawkins will join highly-touted signee KD Jones of Jenks as the only two pieces in OSU’s running back core for 2026.

That said, Morris and Co. can’t settle there. 

Reports have suggested the Cowboys are also looking at James Madison running back Ayo Adei, a veteran prospect who was a 1,000-yard rusher at North Texas in 2023 — Morris' first season with the Mean Green. Additionally, UNT freshman running back Ashton Gray, who served as Hawkins’ backup in 2025, announced an offer from OSU on Friday. Gray is coming off a breakout performance against San Diego State in the New Mexico Bowl where he totaled 152 rushing yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns. In total, Gray logged 377 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 58 attempts for an average of 6.5 yards per carry.

Both are familiar with Morris’ offensive scheme and could complement Hawkins and Mestemaker in the backfield. 

OSU likely has its starting running back for 2026. Now, the Cowboys will await a decision from UNT star wide receiver Wyatt Young to complete the UNT trifecta.

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