Caleb Hawkins may be listed as a Big 12 running back, but the real conversation is happening on a much bigger stage.
Pro Football Focus recently released its top 10 returning backs in the conference, and Hawkins landed at No. 1 with a 92.6 grade. That put Oklahoma State’s standout ahead of Texas Tech’s J’Koby Williams at 88.4 and BYU’s L.J.
Martin at 86.3. Martin was one of the backs who edged Hawkins out for All-Big 12 preseason honors, along with West Virginia’s Cam Cook.
Cook checked in fifth at 85.9, just behind another Cowboy, Tre Page III, who posted an 86.1.
The Big 12 list is nice. The national list is what really jumps off the page.
PFF also ranked the top 10 returning running backs in the country, and Hawkins came in at No. 3 behind Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy. Hardy’s career 94.6 PFF rushing grade at ULM and Ole Miss helped him claim the top spot.
That kind of company says plenty about what PFF thinks Hawkins can be. In just his second year of college football, he’s being viewed as one of the most dangerous backs in the sport - the kind who can tilt a game on his own.
PFF already had its eye on him at North Texas last season, where he posted a 94.1 grade. That was the best mark of any running back in the country and the highest grade for a true freshman since PFF began grading college players in 2014.
For Oklahoma State, that makes Hawkins a centerpiece. It also puts him squarely in the mix for major national award watch lists once they start rolling out next week.
The Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back, figures to be one of them. Ollie Gordon III won it in 2023.
Hawkins, who is from Oklahoma, had a huge debut season in 2025. He ran for 1,434 yards, averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored 25 rushing touchdowns. He also set the NCAA freshman record for total touchdowns in a season with 29.
If PFF’s numbers are a reliable guide, 2026 could be even bigger.
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